What book or book series did you wish would continue when you were done reading it?

Wow, Mildred D. Taylor's "Cassie Logan Saga" was my absolute favorite book series. I started reading it when I was in the third grade. Cassie Logan was a young, Black girl in the south, living in the post slavery/ pre-civil rights era, with her family. The series follows Cassie throughout her life into adulthood and we see her grow and begin to demand respect for herself, her family, and her people. Cassie reminds me a lot of myself; feisty and always ready to light up when things aren't equal, fair, or don't seem right. She also reminds me of Janie, the heroine in "Their Eyes Were Watching God," by Zora Neale Hurston. There is nothing more inspiring than a strong, fearless and powerful Black woman, forcing and advocating for change.

In third grade, I read the third book in the series, The Road to Memphis, first, and I knew I had to finish the rest. I learned later that the series was written about Taylor's own life and family. My mother bought me every book and I read them all... some more than once. I was stuck on "The Cassie Logan Saga" for years, learning and growing with every page that I read. I cried when the series ended, but I knew it was time for me to be the source of my own strength.

Write a one minute "Thank You" note to someone.

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​TLR,

Thank you for your presence. Thank you for loving me, leaving me  and losing me. Because of you, I was able to find myself. You taught me strength. You taught me patience. You taught me selflessness. You taught me how to stick up for myself and to resist bullshit. You taught me that I deserve only the best, even when you could not be that for me. You were spectacular until you weren't, but I appreciate every day I spent with you, growing in peace and in self-love. I hope... and pray, that wherever you are in this life, you're well. Be blessed. Stay blessed.

Renée

I do this often; I step back from writing and doing some things I love in order to really reflect. Sometimes I write without blogging, and that's okay. When I'm ready to share my thoughts, you get them full force... so here it goes!