There is a deeply-rooted saying, “Promises are made
to be broken.” A promise is a verbal declaration. Such an oath, really is
enduring when you make a vow to someone you dearly love. A broken promise is
heart breaking. After breaking a promise to a love one, is there redemption? Can
you resolve, repair, or mend the broken pieces of a dissolved promise?
The story of my 3rd grandmother Mariah, born
a slave, survived the horrors of slavery, and owned acre of land, known as “The
Lands of Mariah Johnson,” have been passed down. As tradition would dictate, I
passed the stories down to my children.
I was in an auspicious position of knowing the oral
history of my family. My family’s history, at times, especially when I was a
child, seemed to be a fantastic story. Although, I knew that my mother and aunt
spoke earnestly, I could not capture their moments of reminisces. I could not
grasp the historical context of living within a time where color, class and
gender were synonymous with servitude, slavery and inequality. Therefore, I
lived in their moment and listened. I listened to their thoughts and memories.
While, in that precious moment of time, I learned that I am, all that I am,
because of their sacrifice.
Years before my dear mother passed away, she said to
me, “Please research our family tree.” My mother knew that I had a genuine
appreciation for family history. “I will Mother, not now, I’ll do it later,” I
answered. In 2006, after my mother’s death, I was immersed in grief. For a
couple of months, I cried myself to sleep. Then late one night, when I
remembered my mother’s words, “Follow the trail of the land, the land speaks.”
the search for my ancestors began. I struggled through the pain of anguish,
wiped my tears, buried my regrets and decided to research my family tree.
After 7 years of research, in 2012, I fulfilled my
promise to my mother. I wrote, “Human Property Hanging in the Family Tree
Yields a Harvest,” the true story of my 3rd great grandmother,
Mariah. At times, I am still haunted by not fulfilling my promise. A broken
promise is heart breaking. I have learned that ‘time’ moves on even when we
stand still.
Happy Mother’s Day; to all those mothers, who love
us unconditionally. If you make a promise to your mother, please keep it and
remember that time waits for no one.
In honor of Mother Day, I will give away 4 Paperback
books go to Goodreads.com before May 30, 2012 http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/25195-human-property-hanging-in-the-family-tree-yields-a-harvest
Book Information:
Published date 01/27/2012. ISBN: 978-1-62030-045-9.
The book contains 207 pages, 50,000 words, 7 photographs with 4 photographs
with courtesy/permission. This work contains 11 pages of Bibliography.
Available in 6x9 perfect bound.
Book available (for $15.00) at The Book Patch
http://www.thebookpatch.com/BookStoreDetails.aspx?BookID=5382
Also in honor of Mother’s Day, Kindle EBook will be
free on May 17-18 2012.
Mariah on the cover of the book.