Reflections: What I Know to Be True

By Jema K. Hill Cook

I know that change is difficult but it is possible. I keep thinking that I will do something tomorrow and then tomorrow comes and I cant remember what it was I said that I was going to do, so I end up doing something else. For example, this collection of thoughts is years in the making. There were days that I was just too afraid to write about what I was dealing with, so I would put it off for another day. Then at the end of the day I realize what I was supposed to be doing. So then one day becomes two just like that. It is similar to standing on the sideline waiting for your turn at jump rope. I would make all the movements to jump in but kept waiting for the best time to jump in. Does anyone else know what that feels like?

What I have learned about death is that every experience brought with it a new set of emotions in a different way. Sometimes it brought loneliness, other times it brought joy. Sometimes it brought sadness, other times it brought peace. Sometimes nothing came and that is when I hear the voice. The voice reminded me that for everything there is a season. A time to be born and a time to die. It is in this time of nothingness that I am finally able to accept the passing and have the ceremonial burial in my spirit.

Reflections What I Know to Be True will take you on a journey that you will want to share with your spouse, sisters and friends. Jema has a unique way of telling a story that will allow you to see yourself in it and to grow from it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Mar 18, 2014
• ISBN: 9781490730592

Jema K. Hill Cook

Jema K Hill Cook is a wife, mother, trainer and motivational speaker. She and her family are very active at their church. She serves on several ministries. Jema believes that every behavior has a purpose and that we have to teach people how to treat us. She is a dynamic and inspirational speaker and has a unique way of connecting with her audience regardless of the setting. She is currently pursuing her second Master Degree in Professional Counseling from Amberton University in Garland, Texas.

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© Copyright 2014 JEMA K. HILL COOK.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

isbn: 978-1-4907-3058-5 (sc)

isbn: 978-1-4907-3060-8 (hc)

isbn: 978-1-4907-3059-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014904664

Cover Illustrated by Ashley Spencer

Photograph by Thomas Hoeber

Hair And Make Up by Elaine Collins

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Trafford rev. 03/14/2014

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Contents

In the Beginning Today Is the Day

Day Two Where We Stand

Day Three Being OK

Day Four When Death Comes Calling

Day Five Look for the Trees

Day Six Lemons, Grapes, Oranges, Apples

Day Seven Are You Focused or Distracted?

Day Eight Are You Driving, Riding, or Watching?

Day Nine Seasons and Friends

Day Ten Where Do You Go from Here?

Day Eleven Spring Cleaning

Day Twelve Not Everybody Will Make It

Day Thirteen Flowers

Day Fourteen Did You Hear That?

Day Fifteen When Was the Last Time?

Day Sixteen To Be or Not to Be: Living Your Best Life

Day Seventeen Enjoying Life My Way

Day Eighteen Embracing Your Strengths

Day Nineteen Managing Your Skill Set

Day Twenty Do You Love You?

Day Twenty-One Remembering Who You Are

Day Twenty-Two Do You Feel Worthy?

Day Twenty-Three I Want to Know What Love Is

Day Twenty-Four Do We Know How to Show Real, True Love?

Day Twenty-Five Guess What I Figured Out?

Day Twenty-Six Are You in a Halftime Season?

Day Twenty-Seven Can I Have a Do-Over?

Day Twenty-Eight Is That a Light or a Train?

Day Twenty-Nine In the Fire

Day Thirty What Do Your Acts Say About You?

I dedicate this book to my husband Patrick and my son Wm. Patrick for giving me all that I needed during this journey. To my mother, Rev. Mary E. Hardy Hancock and my father Henry W. Hardy for their love and support cannot be measured. To my three remaining siblings, Margaret, Mark and Felicia, thank you for your constant inspiration. To my best friend since kindergarten, Fredricka O. Poindexter Scott, your love and support through the years has been invaluable. To my church family, thank you for praying when I had no words. To the countless friends and family that prayed me through this process. I am forever indebted to all of you. To my three siblings that are smiling down on me, Mercedes, Lincoln and Don. I love and miss you all immensely. This one is for you!

What you are about to read is a collection of thoughts I have had