My Story: The Setup

By Bessie Epps Colvin

My Story
The Setup

My story has been partially told so many times to my students and my grandchildren that I realized that I need to just print it. So many people want to know how it was back in the day. I promised myself that I would write it down whenever I got the chance. Well, the cancer treatments allowed me the time to do so. Also, this was a good time because my aunt and brothers and sister are all still alive. They helped to reinforce how I remembered the events. It still hurts to relive the two brothers going off to the Vietnam War and only one getting back alive. Then I realize that my life was already planned, already set up by God. I just needed to follow the plan and continue to be a beacon of light for others to see. I hope that this book might uplift someone else who is struggling with a serious illness and has not realized that we should rejoice in what God is doing in our lives even though we dont understand. Enjoy!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Sep 25, 2012
• ISBN: 9781479712939

Book preview

Copyright © 2012 by Bessie Epps Colvin.

Library of Congress Control Number:       2012917740

ISBN:         Hardcover                               978-1-4797-1292-2

                   Softcover                                 978-1-4797-1291-5

                   Ebook                                      978-1-4797-1293-9

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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www.Xlibris.com

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Contents

Chapter I      BACK IN THE DAY

Chapter II      THE FAMILY

Chapter III      THE CIRCLE BROKEN

Chapter IV      MY CAREER, STUDENTS, AND CHILDREN

Chapter V      OH NO, IT’S CANCER

Chapter VI      CANCER RETURNS

Reader’s Report Information

My Story: The Setup recounts life experiences, which highlights her early years, her family life, and her battle with cancer. It reveals how God had already ordered her steps.

Mrs. Colvin grew up in a close-knit family on a farm about nine miles out in the country (the rural). She recalled how her family bonded and enjoyed every simple moment they had together. The family encountered many difficulties, but they surpassed them together with courage, determination, and a strong faith in God.

At an early age, the author developed a passion for music especially piano music. She took piano lessons when they only cost fifty cents a week. She soon participated in recitals and played for church and school choirs, weddings, and other events. Because of her hard work, the author finished college with a BA and an MA degree which opened doors to many great opportunities such as teaching, performing professionally, and acting in community theaters. Her life was great until she was shocked with the announcement of a stage 3 cancer diagnosis.

My Story: The Setup might appeal to a reader interested in stories that portray the lives of individuals in the rural areas back in the day as well as the lives of those who battle with cancer and living a journey already ordered and planned by God.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I owe a debt of gratitude to my parents, Muh-dear and Daddy. They were the smartest, most talented, and skilled loving people I knew. They instilled in us the right way to grow up with God as our father. They are now deceased, but I feel that they are in heaven still watching over us. I thank my brothers and sister for the life we shared growing up. We shared the load of all the work in the field and the house, and we were none too glad when work was done. We had fun. They helped me recall many of the times we had.

I had always thought that I would write a book someday, but this time it was done through the encouragement of my uncle and aunt. They traveled to Indianapolis for a church convention and stopped in to spend a little time with me. They prayed with me, and as I was telling stories about some of the things that happened to me on my journey, they insisted that I write this book. So thank you, Aunt and Uncle, I did it.

Last but not least, I must acknowledge my husband and my children who have stood faithfully by my side through my ups and downs. I send out a huge thank you to my extended family members, my friends, churches, my pastor and other ministers, schools, and prayer centers all over the world who prayed for me. I must acknowledge my four grandchildren. They are quite interested in how it happened back in the day. When I’m telling them the stories, they are quiet, attentive, and grossly into every word. They too encouraged me. They want to read it as soon as it comes off the press.

Chapter I

BACK IN THE DAY

It all began for me on the day known as St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1944, in a little town in Texas called Marshall. I was born the first girl after two boys, third child of six to my mom and dad, with the aid of a midwife. After me were two more boys and a sister. That makes me the middle child. We were a great tight-knit family. The six children were close enough in age to bond tightly. My dad was the oldest of twelve children born to my grandmother and grandfather, both of whom were actually small-body framed, but we called them Big Mama and Big Daddy. Just imagine them the size of Jethro and Granny of The Beverly Hillbillies, and Big Daddy wasn’t even as tall as Jethro. But they were two powerful people in the community. Everybody loved and respected them. They were like the mayor and first lady of the community. People would come to them expressing their ideas and asking them for their opinion. Big Daddy would confer with Big Mama, but ultimately it would be his decision. It was the same way in my house. I was honored to be named the same first name as Big Mama when I was born.

When I was about four years old, learning and getting to know