I was born in Detroit Michigan to William and Mattie Sumlin. The third of three children and a big surprise to mom and dad. You see they had decided to quit having children after two girls, but God...ver maisI was born in Detroit Michigan to William and Mattie Sumlin. The third of three children and a big surprise to mom and dad. You see they had decided to quit having children after two girls, but God had different plans in store for them, and here I am.
I started writing poetry at about the age of twelve. It was during this time that one of my favorite uncles passed away. But while I was crying, I told the Lord I didn’t just want to remember that he died, I wanted to remember that he lived. It was at that time that I started writing, and God gave me my first poem, I called it “Remembrance of a Man.”
Since that time, I have written many poems, for saints that have gone to glory. However, I didn’t just write about them, most of the time I wrote from them. I wondered what these people would say if they had the opportunity to give there last words to their friends and family. Because of this, God allowed me to write words of encouragement from those who did not have the chance to speak for themselves.
There were also times, while growing up and going through life’s changes, I didn’t feel that my parents understood me. Although there was a freedom of speech in the country, in my parent’s house, free speech had its penalty. Not willing to pay this price, I found a way to write down my feelings in a poem and discreetly hand it to my mother. It was amazing; I could get my feelings across, and they would take it with a smile.
Throughout the years, I have struggled with the thought of putting together a book because I did not want to take the gift the God had given me and use it for profit. Nevertheless, my loved ones have convinced me that what God has given me was not only to be shared with a select few people but it should be shared with the world. I don’t know why God gave me this gift, just like I don’t know why He loves me—oh, but I’m glad, so glad he did!ver menos