Journey Journal -

I grew up with a strong southern heritage rooted in spirituality and civic engagement. Rural life was about dirt roads, community, agriculture and rites of passage. The nights were star-filled, the winters were moderate, and nature held all of the signs. The mother was the pinnacle of truth and beauty, and the elders shared their wisdom.

I cherish the time shared with my mother who stood strong and aware that I was watching. This blog is dedicated to her. The Mother, as we treasure the memory and wisdom of yesteryear and give thanks for the synergy of the moment!

Gratitude to my beautiful family and friends, Rev. J. Murdock, Mr. & Mrs. Foster, Mr. & Mrs. Bryant, and everyone from Grandview.  The Swanns, Mr. L. Green, The John McCall Booster Club and The College Inn (Mr. W. Green & Ms. Cole-Green). Ms. J. Mayfield, Mrs. Woodbury, Mrs. D. Foote and the Chesterfield County School District. Dr. Click, Prof. Haney Howell, Dr. Russo, Dr. I. Campbell, Dr. A. Beard, Winthrop University and the W. U. Poetry Club. California's Litravers, Coffee Cartel and the good folks of Hermosa Beach and Sonoma Blue (Studio City). Billy Wisse, Brett Schneider, and all of my brilliant and encouraging friends at Jeopardy. New York's Brokeland Poets, Walker Stage (Tribeca), My Morningside family, The Cornelia Street Cafe, and The Bitter End. The SC Arts Commission, SC Writers Association, and SC Humanities Communal Pen. 

Thank you for the friendship, tutelage and continued support. 

In the beginning there was THE WORD. The way, the truth and the light...emanating from the ultimate source....LOVE. Universal. Boundless. Everlasting. And that is what you are! Thank you for BEING here.

Peace and blessings!

*A special thank you to my friend and brother William Stephenson for encouraging me to move past fear and to share my poetry during a very formative time in my life. - Grace!