Budding & Wilted Roses: Inspirational Poems Though Life's Seasons

By Susan Frazier DeLaney

Budding & Wilted Roses: Inspirational Poem Through Life's Seasons Description

 

Budding and Wilted Roses: Inspirational Poems Through Life's Seasons is a collection of my writings which includes personal and scriptural references together with quotations from noted spiritual and social

• Language: English
• Publisher: Susan Frazier DeLaney
• Release date: Nov 11, 2022
• ISBN: 9798218052560

Book preview

Foreword

I really do believe that all life is autobiographical. Listen to a person long enough and they will reveal both surface and sacred thoughts and emotions with you. Sometimes blessed and at other times compelled to pray, I enjoy being more interested in people than I attempt to be interesting. The stories I hear are mixed with suffering and survival, and I always feel closer to the one I’m encountering.

Susan is one of the many whose musings of a life of suffering and survival, joys and triumphs – her life, her stories, her advocacy – have been powerful poetry, indeed. She is what is referred to in culture as an icon and to have her private reflections over the last 20 years is to possess one of the pearls of great price. Once you find it, you tell all your friends to enjoy it with you. I pray you are as blessed by her poems as I am impressed with her life.

Reverend Dr. William H. Curtis, Pastor

Mount Ararat Baptist Church, Pittsburgh, PA

Author of: Faith – Learning to Live Without Fear

Dressed for Victory: Putting on the Full Armor of God

Mentor Shift

One Day Closer – Volumes 1 & 2

Acknowledgments

There are so many individuals who have impacted my life that without their encouragement, prayers and friendships, I would not have been able to complete this book.

I appreciate my mother and father, Iretha and Alexander Frazier (now deceased), for encouraging my writing at a very young age; my older sister, Sandra, whose personal commitment to God has contributed to my own spiritual tenacity. My two sons, Melvin and Michael have blessed my life as they have matured with age and wisdom. My younger brother, Alexander has always demonstrated resilience and long-suffering as he faces life challenges. My youngest sister, Sylvia has achieved major accomplishments despite numerous adversities in her career journey. They have both been an inspiration to me. My step-children, Johnny and Shelly have since gone home to be with the Lord, and LaVada and her family have all demonstrated through their love and faith that a family that prays together stays together.

I also wish to acknowledge my granddaughters, Robin, Desiree and Shayna (which is Hebrew for beautiful) and my grandsons Terry, Prentis, Billy, Darion and Jarrel. Rana, Nahid, Marlene, Terri, Laura, Gladys, Siggi and all my other colleagues from the various schools where I taught have continually suggested that I publish. Not to be excluded are Cathy, Judy, and Valetta who have always been there for me. Mary from Washington, D.C. gave me the strength to laugh when I wanted to cry and Charmie was always ready to pray with me. I would not have completed this work without the encouragement of Eboni, Lynnise, Helen, Eleanor, Aunt Rose, Phyllis, Ashley, Aiyana, Stacey, Sharon Gregory, Westlynn, Sylvia Ball, Carmelita, Aunt Arlene, Aunt Marie, Aunt Jean, Mrs. Mary H. Schaefer, Anna, Karen, Estelle, Genevieve, Alice, Mother McKee, Ms. Williams, Ms. Bennett, Little Mama, Venice, Sherris, Lynette and Gemma (for keeping me on task). A number of these Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C. and Chicago friends and relatives have since gone on to be with the Lord.

A special note of appreciation to the Rotary Club of Monroeville and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. The International Rotary Organization has instilled in me the need to provide service above self; while the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., of which I am a proud member has continuously emphasized the importance of service to all mankind. I have been so blessed to have spiritual leaders in my life such as Reverend Etta Calvert, Reverend Marge Coker, Pastor Tedi, Rabbi Barbara Symons, sOm Sharma, Reverend Dr. Scott Gallagher and Pastors Michael and Erica Reynolds who have provided continuous prayers, spiritual development and support. Finally, a special recognition to my pastor, Rev. Dr. William H. Curtis, whose homiletics have greatly contributed to my spiritual growth and Christian walk with Jesus, my precious Lord and Savior.

Introduction

Some years ago, when I first began this writing project, I called my mother in Chicago and informed her that I had finally decided to compile several of my inspirational poems into a book entitled, Budding &Wilted Roses: Inspirational Poems Through Life’s Seasons. She appeared quite amused by the title. Instead of telling me that it seemed like a rather interesting title for a book, she simply responded in a kind voice, Well, you have always been quite creative. It was either her way of saying that she was sure I must have had some perfectly logical explanation for what I was doing, or it was her nice way of saying that nothing would surprise her because she always considered me a unique child. Of course, she was right.

Perhaps, I need to mention something about the title itself. I actually had received a bouquet of exquisite roses some years earlier as a get-well gift from a few of my esteemed colleagues prior to a major surgical procedure. It was