Having created a library of material, but saving a small part, for a book is my way back. The name of the physical book will be “Standing in the Shadows, Listening to the Greats!!! A blog novel of true stories of ordinary people who overcame all kinds of odds to become extraordinary, who turned around to help others.
Dedication Page
To Edward, Nicole, and Matthew. This is Dad doing “that blog thing”! Let your purpose carry you through, whatever your next level is. It’s as much about the journey, as the final destination. Paula, I think we did a pretty decent job.
This is a tribute to your grandmother who I considered to be the country girl from Mississippi, who had so many kids she barely knew what to do. Beulah S. Hackett had 14 children and never learned how to drive, but never let it stop her. As a independent woman she took the bus to work, even in the cold Detroit winters, until her mid-eighties.
Mom had it rough growing up, but she always tried to keep it light. She called the bus the “Iron Pimp”. It didn’t arrive on schedule, but it always came, just in time. At the age of 90 she passed on to glory, I write to continue her story.
Her mother died when she was only eight, and she barely knew her father. What he left her, was his legacy. As a Native American from the Mississippi Delta, he kept count of all his children during his life time. When mom was born in 1919 she was the last of 33.
Are we related, are you part of this tribe? James Hackett, Vera Hackett-Williams, Henry Ray Hackett, Hilton Ray Hackett, Leroy Hackett, Beulah Marie Smith-Lathers, Willie James Arnold, Gwendolia Knight-Mims, Richard Jackson Jr., Diane Hackett, Eugene Hackett, Teresa (Hackett) Fields, Nathaniel Hackett.
The back cover has a picture of me sitting in a high back wicker chair with a kufi ( a cap worn by many populations in Africa and men throughout the African Diaspora.) Many grandfathers and older men wear kufi’s to symbolize their status as a wise elder. When worn in America, it primarily identifies the person as one who takes pride in the West African history. It’s a sign of peace, morning, renewal and protection of the mind.
I have in my hands two symbols of American pride: a US Air Force cap and a US Army cap. While do one and they are done, I did two before I was through. Those stories will be revealed over time.
This blog novel evolved from a series of blogs ( an on-line commentary) about personal development and memories from my past. It’s autobiographic, inspirational, and motivational. What’s unique about this novel is some of the readers took the time and talked back (italicized). I just happen to have had a very unique past and lay it all on the line. Why? Because I know there are those who laid it all on the line, and didn’t return.
Through the discipline of blogging. I built a library of ideas that could be life changing, by listening to some of the best motivational speakers and thinkers of today and yesterday. I will miss the easy reference to all the material but what’s important is who I became. It’s now what you do, but who you become in the process.
The greatest stories will never be told.
They are buried in the graveyards
Along with all the people who never told their story.
Oscar, Tony, and Emmy Award winner – Viola Davis.
This is my story and my legacy. What will be yours?
H.G.M.
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