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Embracing Who I Am

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The story was written and is owned by: Felecia Causey (ME!) Model: Christia (Tia) Wells The lady in the photos is only a model used for my story. My mother had four kids, and I was the oldest. I was born before she met and married my step-father. As I was growing up, I definitely felt like the outsider. I wasn't ever invited to a lot of parties or family events because I was the outside child. My mother would always drop me off at her mother's house. Many times I would go in the bathroom and cry. My grandmother would allow me to stay outside until it was dark. When I came inside, she made me take a bathe, and fix me a pallet on the living room floor. She would fix me a sandwhich before I would fall asleep, and I remember I would still be hungry. I would toss and turn in the dark ready for daylight to peep out, so I can eat breakfast. The next day around noon, my mother and siblings would come pick me up. I would sit and watch as my grandmother embraced my brother an

Faith and Heart Equals Change

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My name is Laporsche Hollon, I am a wife of three beautiful kids with an amazing husband who stands by my side. Thr oughout life we all have our problems an d differ ent way’s of dealing with them . Sometimes we lo ok for ways to cover up our problems suc h as eating unhealthy, drinking or sm oking. My problem became eating unhealthy and just not c aring about myself . Until one day I wanted to go shopping and I w as unsure what size I was in. I still didn ’t have a care in the world as long as my husband loved me for who I was. Then one day I decided to get a job in a production enviro nment, where I had to mo ve fast past all day for ten to twelve hours sometimes. There w as one day where I sweating so bad my legs rubbed raw. When I got home I talked to my husband abo ut it, and  he didn’t know what to say. His mother came over and she started telling me about products I could use to help me with the pr oblem. I thou ght to m yself I had to do so mething now

After Losing My Son To Gun Violence, "I Am A Witness Prayer Does Work"

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    My name is Markethia Hill Davis, and I am a mother of three beautiful kids .  I was affected by gun violence, when I lost my eldest son.  On September 18, 2011 my son was shot down by an AK-47. He was an innocent bystander, and was shot in the back of the head, and left for dead.        I  remember the night that I received the call around 2:35 A.M., to hear my mother tell me, my son, Man ( the name I called him) had been shot. I immediately got out of my bed, running trying to get to him.  On this date, we had planned to celebrate my youngest son's birthday, but instead we were mourning a brutal death, that left a big void in our hearts and lives. On September 19, was my birthday, but instead of celebrating, I was preparing to make funeral arrangements.        I went through a time when all I could do was cry. The crying led to depression and anxiety,  and I was then put on medication. I thought I was going to lose my mind, and I couldn't think for myself.

I Kept Pushing For Them

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When I found out I was pregnant, I was a senior in high school. I found out in a dressing at store, and it was very scary.  My mom was the one who told me I was, because she noticed I was gaining weight. I didn’t know what to do, and when I told my child's father, he immediately denied her.  I was close to graduating, and all I was wondering was how could I do it with a baby.  My daughter was born prematurely on November 10th. She was beautiful. I had to miss school for two months. When I returned back, I had to try to catch up on all of my work. It was extremely hard to finish school with a newborn crying all night, homework to do, and classes to attend. I finished high school and graduated with a nine months old little girl.  I eventually ended up working, and then I enrolled into the military just 7 days before my baby turned 2. It was the hardest time ever when I had to leave her. When I returned home, I ended up meeting someone, I thought was my forever, and had another

Hurts Deeper Than Anyone Will Know

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Hi , My name is Kelly S. Timmons, and I'm married to the late Michael J. Timmons. He was murdered on May 1 , 2013. It was the saddest day of my life. I felt as if everything was all over, and my whole world was gone . He was my heart, my headache, my heartache, my love, and my backbone. He was literally my everything. Michael and I met in Feb., 2004, and we were married on March 16,2011. I felt as if I couldn't go on, and it took me a while to get semi- back to my right mind set.  I realized that we had 4 beautiful kids that I was left to raise all alone.  We have four kids, but biologically we have one together. I have two boys Lorenzo and Shamus and one daughter La'Derricka.  Michael has a daughter name MyIesha and she have two daughters, that he never had the opportunity to meet. He also has a godson Jaderion Timmons. The day my husband was murdered, it was around 3 P.M. God knows, when I received the call saying that my husband was shot, and may

Embracing My God Given Talent

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My name is Yevonda "Squeaky" London, I am a native of Silas, AL. In a community called Shady Grove.  I am a licensed cosmetologist and the owner of MzTrackmaster's Hair Studio in Gilbertown, AL. I can't say that as a child, I dream of being a hairstylist, to be honest I didn't know what I wanted to be when I grew up.  As a young girl I was always combing in my hair and got good at it started doing my sisters hair and others as well, but it still wasn't something I desired to do as a career. I became a mother at a very young age, and the only thing I wanted to do was get an education to work and make money. After having so many dead end jobs, I decided this is not what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I enrolled in medical school to pursue a career in the medical field as a medical assistant and phlebotomy. I graduated and started working at a hospital for a few years, but I still felt in my heart this wasn't for me. I yearned for more.  O

Singing Is What Keep Me Going

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Today is a special day. Its my 31st birthday!  I have seen many things take place in my life. I came from a single parent household.  I'm single, I don't have any kids, but I suffered a miscarriage.  I love dancing, cooking, doing hair, helping others, being creative and most of all singing. I currently sing with a gospel group name Awaken By Faith. I first discovered I could sing in 1996, while riding in the car with my god sister and godmother. I begin singing from that point on. I've had many experiences in life that, it's too much to write about, and it would take me writing a short book.  I grew up fatherless, because my father chose not to be in my life. I grew up fast at the age of 10 to help my mom out.  I grew up feeling lonely, misused, alone, self esteem problems, and the thoughts of committing suicide.  Whenever I would hear a song or sing it, that would help me carry on. On Jan 7, 2017, I was involved in a car accident, while traveling home

Disability As An Ability Toward Success: Understanding The Diagnosis, The Journey, and Executing the Strategy

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My husband and I were so excited to find out we were expecting a healthy baby boy. It was our first child and my first pregnancy. Prior to my pregnancy, I was an active, professional woman living a healthy lifestyle that included healthy eating and intense exercise. That lifestyle continued throughout my pregnancy. Conner’s expected delivery date was July 16, 2013 and my water broke that day. It was an easy pregnancy because I was doing squats and other exercises that helped to make it an easy delivery with little medication. I had no complications. Conner was born with beautiful, smooth healthy skin, a bubbly personality and big smile. You are probably wondering, “How are you born with a bubbly personality and big smile?” LOL I say it’s genetic because I share my parents’ personalities and big smile. Physically, Conner was progressing as he should. We knew genetically speaking he would be off the charts for height and weight because I’m 6’1” and my husband is 6

I Wanted to Be Her Voice, Caring Teachers Matter

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This is my daughter Tyreanna, she is almost 12 years old. She is what I bconsidered as my "seat belt" on life. When I became pregnant with her I knew her needs had to come before mines. At the age of three I realized that my daughter speech wasn't what other kids her age was. I remember how family members constantly criticized  me on how she needed to be in school around other kids. Her father and I felt it was in our best interest to not put her in daycare.  We purchased many videos of sight words to help her pronounce her words, but it just didn't help much. I was around her so much, that I knew what she was trying to say, even when others didn't. I remember because she was such a beautiful little girl, she would always be approached by people and they couldn't understand her. They would ask me what she said and I would tell them, but I hid my hurt and anger. When she was four years old we enrolled her into a Pre-K program in one of the nearby public

Janae's Kids Birthday Session

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I met Janae when I did her maternity session when she was pregnant with the handsome little guy in the photo. She was the first mom that allowed me to capture my first birth session. It's something I will never forget.  I was nervous and I laughed so much at Janae's mother. It was a great experience and I am completely grateful that she allowed me a stranger, to be a part of this special moment in her life. I have enjoyed watching the kids grow up from then until now... They kids both are celebrating their birthdays this month. The kids did such a great job, and the weather was so nice. Thanks Janae again for allowing me to capture your family memories.