Haven’Ot

I was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Fortunately, I was blessed with great, loving parents and three siblings. I am not an avid reader, but I’ve enjoyed novels, short stories, and self-help books for years. I never imagined myself writing a book, although I have written many poems and papers on various subjects. For more than thirty-three years, my sister, Ardie Stuart Brown (playwright and author of children’s books) and I owned and operated the Spring School of the Arts. “Learning through the Arts” was the concept. The four major facets of the arts were implemented to introduce a comprehensive educational experience for children ages eighteen months through twelve years. We also created history theatre programs, which required extensive research. We then transferred this information into storytelling. Through music, dance, drama, and song, we make history come alive. In 1987, I had major surgery. While in recovery, I was given (if you will) this divine inspiration. It was like a divine message or suggestion, a glimpse into future events. When I was able to sit up in bed, I reached for whatever was available to write upon. It was the hospital menu, which was very large and trifolded. I started writing everywhere there was blank space. For years, I would write a little, get busy on other projects, and abandon finishing what I did not know this would become. However, it stayed in the back of my mind and would not go away. To connect the dots, I fast forward to November of 2013. My husband, Warren, had a stroke. During his rehabilitation, I took with me, each day, a writing tablet, pen, and computer. I prayed, thought, pondered, imagined, and wrote. In May of 2014, this little book was finished. How do I know? Whatever was filling the well of information inside me was now empty and silent. There was nothing else to say. I am married to a great and loving man, and we have seven fantastic children between us and sixteen amazing grandchildren. I am now retired and excited about this next phase of life’s adventure.