Strength in the Streets

By Joy A. Woods-Turlington

As a single African American mother raising a stubborn young man, Joy Woods-Turlington needed to find a way to summon strength from her faith in God and also from within to weather the parental storms that often battered her life.

In an inspirational compilation of personal essays, Joy provides insight into the complex meanings and effects of abandonment in the African American household that is unfortunately becoming a societal norm. While detailing the emotions, challenges, and experiences that surrounded her life as a single mother rearing a son she calls Strength, Joy reveals how she nursed him back to health as a toddler, attempted to instill important values as he grew up, and bravely faced the sorrow when he eventually succumbed to the lure of the streets. Throughout her essays, Joy reminds all of us that when we are tested in our areas of strength to never be afraid to ask God for his help and love.

Strength in the Streets is a volume of moving essays that share an African American mother’s reflections on raising a challenging son while relying on strength from prayer, unconditional love, and her faith in God.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: May 20, 2020
• ISBN: 9781480891289

Joy A. Woods-Turlington

Joy A. Woods-Turlington is a wife, mother of two, educator, and advocate for many causes close to her heart. She holds two degrees and is currently pursuing a PhD in psychology. In her personal life, she has overcome insurmountable odds to achieve inner-peace. This is her first book.

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Copyright © 2020 Joy A. Woods-Turlington.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Archway Publishing

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Bloomington, IN 47403

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

ISBN: 978-1-4808-9127-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4808-9128-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020909147

Archway Publishing rev. date: 5/20/2020

Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction

CHAPTER 1

My Childhood

CHAPTER 2

College

CHAPTER 3

Strength

CHAPTER 4

Raising Strength

CHAPTER 5

Reminiscing

CHAPTER 6

Changing

CHAPTER 7

Momma

CHAPTER 8

Reaching Out

CHAPTER 9

Plans

CHAPTER 10

Good Days and Bad

CHAPTER 11

Coronavirus

CHAPTER 12

Doctor’s Visit

CHAPTER 13

Survived It!

CHAPTER 14

Dear Son

About the Author

Dedications

This book is dedicated to my sons, Joshua and Jacob.

You both bring meaning to life and keep me grounded.

Mommy loves you both!

If you are reading this, I dedicate this book

to you. I hope you find your strength.

May the God of your understanding bless

you abundantly for reading my story.

Preface

S trength in the Streets is inspired by a true story. While it is meant to make you laugh and cry, hopefully the tears are of joy and not for Joy. I enjoyed writing Strength in the Streets as it allowed my creativity to flow. I have wanted to write for a while and never had the courage, but Joshua and my husband Jerious gave me encouragement.

I wrote Strength in the Streets for all the moms with