My mother is the closest thing to God I know. Her God concept, whether she knows it or not, is that she cannot be fully known by just one name or one single entity. Not Dahlia, Zalia, Zat, Dale, Mrs. Testa, Gale, Ma, Grammy, Mimi— but someone other. Someone who serves as many beings to many people, revealing herself to each of us in ways that we can best appreciate and understand.

After decades of indifference, self-indulgence, rebelliousness, embarrassment, and plain old apathy, I can finally say I truly appreciate my mother and her many pseudonyms. But I’ve never been able to understand her as well as a daughter should. She deserves understanding and to have her stories and memories chronicled. I hope I do them justice.

My mother is the closest thing to God I know. Her God concept, whether she knows it or not, is that she cannot be fully known by just one name or one single entity. Not Dahlia, Zalia, Zat, Dale, Mrs. Testa, Gale, Ma, Grammy, Mimi— but someone other. Someone who serves as many beings to many people, revealing herself to each of us in ways that we can best appreciate and understand.

After decades of indifference, self-indulgence, rebelliousness, embarrassment, and plain old apathy, I can finally say I truly appreciate my mother and her many pseudonyms. But I’ve never been able to understand her as well as a daughter should. She deserves understanding and to have her stories and memories chronicled. I hope I do them justice.

"Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born I sanctified you." Jeremiah 1:5

"Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born I sanctified you." Jeremiah 1:5

This story of love and a bond between mother and daughter began as a birthday wish from a mother who desired to tell her daughter so many things but could not find a sufficiently large card.

So here it is!

This book, we dedicate to all those who wish to read it. From our hearts, we share these precious moments in hope that they brighten up your day.

Black Snow—A Salute to the Single Parent provides a view from the inside world of living without two parents in the household and the system put in place for the family’s survival. It exposes the dynamic six-step process that was used to keep the family functioning at a high level and in harmony. Black Snow takes us on the journey of discovering how the father’s whereabouts were located, why he left, why he stayed away, and how he lived and died.

“A heart-wrenching story of strength, love and dedication.”
—Sheila Hawkins

“A story that will touch the hearts and soul of every parent and parent to be. It knows no boundaries.”
—Carolyn Hogue

Black Snow—A Salute to the Single Parent provides a view from the inside world of living without two parents in the household and the system put in place for the family’s survival. It exposes the dynamic six-step process that was used to keep the family functioning at a high level and in harmony. Black Snow takes us on the journey of discovering how the father’s whereabouts were located, why he left, why he stayed away, and how he lived and died.

“A heart-wrenching story of strength, love and dedication.”
—Sheila Hawkins

“A story that will touch the hearts and soul of every parent and parent to be. It knows no boundaries.”
—Carolyn Hogue

Black Snow—A Salute to the Single Parent provides a view from the inside world of living without two parents in the household and the system put in place for the family’s survival. It exposes the dynamic six-step process that was used to keep the family functioning at a high level and in harmony. Black Snow takes us on the journey of discovering how the father’s whereabouts were located, why he left, why he stayed away, and how he lived and died.

“A heart-wrenching story of strength, love and dedication.”
—Sheila Hawkins

“A story that will touch the hearts and soul of every parent and parent to be. It knows no boundaries.”
—Carolyn Hogue

“When My Mommy Cries” is a tender story about a little girl who feels scared, confused, and abandoned when her mother becomes deeply sad. Through reassuring honesty, gentle compassion, and mutual respect, they nurture the bonds of trust, as the girl discovers that nothing - not even sadness or depression - can separate her from the safety and security of her mother’s love.

Crystal offers this book - and the poignant song which accompanies it - with the heartfelt hope that it may be a tool for healing - to help families like her own, who have borne the burden of depression or grief, become “stronger at the broken places.” May it help all who read it find deeper empathy for others, gentler patience with themselves, and greater wisdom for facing life’s struggles with the children they love.

This book will touch every emotion, and inform the reader how easy it is to become homeless, and how we can help each other to avoid this life change. It gives hope to those who want to get out of this unfortunate life.

This book will touch every emotion, and inform the reader how easy it is to become homeless, and how we can help each other to avoid this life change. It gives hope to those who want to get out of this unfortunate life.

You are not alone if you are one of the staggering numbers of grandparents who are raising their grandchildren! Are you confused by the generational gaps, challenging communications, and tough questions like, “Why are my parents so old? Why is my father in jail? Why doesn’t my mother show up to visit when she promised?”

The Sacred Work of Grandparents Raising Their Grandchildren is the first book that contains answers and stories to address these unique issues and challenges—from one grandparent to another. You’ll enjoy the practical suggestions on how grandchildren can manage and solve some of their own problems, while learning how to cope with your own distinctive life challenges.

As a parenting grandparent, a kinship caregiver, a teacher, or a social service worker, you must read this book for invaluable insight. No other book takes on the complex challenges that parenting grandparents face with such depth and truth. How relieved and grateful you’ll be for the inspiration, knowledge and wisdom by the time you reach the conclusion!

“Through the stories told by grandparents themselves, Elaine K. Williams reveals the challenges, commitment, and love experienced by grandparents raising their grandchildren. This book not only provides understanding and helpful information, but will also touch the hearts of all who read it.”

—Sandy P., a grandparent who raised a grandchild

“I’ve waited five years for this wonderful author, Elaine K. Williams, to complete her groundbreaking gathering of knowledge from three generations so that we can clearly see the patterns of grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. The most important points are to help grandparents understand the dynamics of the emotional and behavioral challenges their grandchildren face, and the impactful trauma that all generations experience. She brings the keys of caring, connection, and communication forward to assist families to heal. Highly recommended.”

—Dr. Caron Goode, EdD, NCC, author of the award-winning book Raising Intuitive Children