Emily's Story: What Should I Say or How Should I Say It?

By Emily J. Coopwood

I chose to write this book because as I look back over my life, I often wonder why God took a girl of no reputation or knowledge about life and placed her into the hands of a man who thought he had all knowledge and experience for handling his life. He had the ability to manipulate others to fill the deep void in his own life even though he was unaware of it. In the midst of this union between two people of vastly different backgrounds, came the birth of six children. The storms, at times, were fierce and left footprints in the soil of our beings. Yet God orchestrated our lives according to His plan and purpose for each of us.
As we journeyed forward, God allowed the grass to gradually grow and cover up the soil causing the footprints to slowly fade. He gradually stripped away those things that held our heart, mind, and spirits captive. Reflecting back, I thank God for bringing me through to this age in my life. Because I can truly see and embrace the reality of His Truth. I know His blessings follow me even when I do not recognize them. I have learned that when you are in a storm, look up to find the rainbow. That is God.
As I write this book, many years of experience are now in my past. I hope when you read this, it will draw you closer to the Lord Jesus Christ. I also hope it will remind you of who truly holds your tomorrows, and nothing is impossible with God. He is always working things out in His own time frame for your good.
I wrote this book to give hope and encouragement to the woman who chooses to read it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: May 23, 2021
• ISBN: 9781665526760

Emily J. Coopwood

Emily Janet (Robinson) Coopwood, born the morning of June 14, 1931 in Gary, Indiana at 2121 Jefferson St. on National Flag Day, lived her early years during the depression. Her parents were Walter Robinson and Mary Ruth (Brown) Robinson. Her mother was born in 1903 in Augusta, Ga and father was born in Buford, NC. Her Grandmother Connor was an entrepreneur in the early 1900’s. Even during that time of segregation, she owned a home and a small business. When Emily’s Grandmother Connor’s husband died, she sold her home and business and moved to Evanston, Il. In 1915, Emily’s grandmother and mother settled in Gary, Indiana which was a mixed steel mill area of town that used horses and buggies for transportation. Emily was the youngest of four children. Her parents’ first-born daughter died at an early age. She lived her life with an older sister, Hardina and brother, Walter. Her father, who was very gentle, quiet, and a great dancer, died when Emily was 7 years old. Emily lived a great life growing up even after her father died. She attended Roosevelt School, the only school for blacks in Gary during that time, from kindergarten through 12th grade, graduating in 1949. The change in Emily’s life journey began with the death of her brother Walter. Emily met and married her husband of 67 years in 1950 and they had six children. She attended Purdue University and became a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1955, retiring her license in 2010. Emily currently lives in Woodbridge, Virginia where she continues to spend time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Emily’s compassion for children is reflected in her continued giving to organizations that help poor and disadvantaged children throughout the world.

Book preview

EMILY’S STORY

WHAT SHOULD I SAY OR

HOW SHOULD I SAY IT?

EMILY J. COOPWOOD

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© 2021 Emily J. Coopwood. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 05/21/2021

ISBN: 978-1-6655-2677-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6655-2675-3 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6655-2676-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021910312

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.

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.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the Holy Bible, King James Version (Authorized Version). First published in 1611. Quoted from the KJV Classic Reference Bible, Copyright © 1983 by The Zondervan Corporation.

CONTENTS

Introduction

The Beginning

Season of Abundance, Bliss and Delight

Walter Robinson (Dad)

Mary Ruth (Brown) Robinson Walker Robinson (Mom)

Emma Brown Conner (Mamma Conner)

Ruth Hardina (My Oldest and Only Sister)

Walter LaVerne Robinson (Brother)

Emily Janet Robinson Coopwood

Unknown Preparation

Theodore Roosevelt Coopwood Jr. (My Husband of 67 Years)

Journey Begins

Tour of Duty

Sibling Support

Still Born

First Awakening

Bus Desegregation

The Struggle and Now, Children

Life in Small Farms – 66 Years

Unconditional Love Demonstrated

Breaking Point

The Hustle

Our Children

The Launch

Children, No Longer

Meditated Departure

Courage to Move

Yes Lord!

The Start to the End

Mirrored Hearts

Reassurance of Salvation

Divine Protection

Carried Home

Theodore and Emily’s Children

A Letter to Mothers

INTRODUCTION

G od’s Grace and Mercy is always in the midst of the battle of the war going on in our minds that affects us both naturally and spiritually. Everyone has conflict and at times we do not see the light. However, God knows our struggles and promised that He would never leave us alone.

This is a story of my journey through the maze of my life that unfolded in many directions. A story where the results were so amazing to see as God orchestrated every step as I dared to visualize and believe!

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THE BEGINNING

M y parents married in 1925 and built a home in a neighborhood, which at that time, had developed with several different nationalities. I was born in that home along with my only brother, Walter. We were blessed to have good parents, a grandmother who lived with us, and were never left alone to experience the struggles of desertion or destitu tion.

We were not perfect, but one would probably describe us as a model, middle class,black family, living without the struggles of survival when so many others were. We were a God-fearing family that possessed morals and values and were well known in the neighborhood and the City of Gary. As children, my siblings and I were dressed well and wore the best clothes money could buy. We never knew what lack was even during the depression years or when things were rationed during World War II.

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Yes, you could say that as I was growing up, both my real father Walter, and Clisby, my stepfather, did very well. Everybody knew where we lived and knew about our family. We were the Robinsons in the little red house with picture windows, a red wrought iron fence with a double yard and a huge flower garden right in the middle! We even had white wrought iron chairs to sit down outside the house! Yes, everybody knew the little house on Jefferson street. My mother always kept a good car that was never over 2 years old, even in the depression. Even though we lost our house, once they got out of the depression years, they got their house back. Even my grandparents, everybody, got their own homes back. So, we lived well, even during the depression.

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Although I don’t remember much about that time, I do remember having one of the best Christmas’s I ever had. Shirley Temple was extremely popular, and they came out with a Shirley Temple doll. That Christmas, I had the beautiful black Shirley Temple doll with beautiful black hair. I even had a buggy that was lined in satin! I was maybe about four or five and I remember that was a great Christmas. I think I even had a tricycle and didn’t get another bike until I was a teenager. In fact, all of us had Schwinn’s, which were the best bikes that money could buy. My sister and I shared a bedroom, and my brother had his own room, which was uncommon for a lot of families during that time. We were just fortunate to live really well, and we knew that we were blessed and highly favored by God.

Although my family was considered middle class, during the depression, we still experienced hardship and loss. Many people lost their homes, including us and we had to move in with my Great grandparents. There were a lot of us, but we were happy. During the Great Depression there was a lot of rationing. What I do remember during the depression, in fact, most of what I can remember, is what was told to me by my parents and grandparents. There was a lot of hunger. Men and women were lined up to receive aid from the city. Living in