What?

Sometimes I wonder why people say certain things...
I was at the gym exercising with a small group of women I know, some white, some black. A woman we didn't know came through the door and waved a coupon from a nearby sweet treats business. She said she wasn't going to be in this area tomorrow to use it while it was valid, so she asked if any of us went there. I said I sometimes frequented the sweet treats business; she gave me the coupon.
(I think our workout coach rolled her eyes at me. What can I say? I enjoy a sweet treat from time to time, but I do work out regularly.)
On her way out, the coupon lady stopped and said to me, "My name is on the coupon paper I gave you, and it's a black person's name. When people read my name, they think I'm a black person until they meet me. My name is P....... Williams."
All of us looked at her. "What?" I asked, puzzled. She looked like she'd said something to me that I should identify with. She left without giving me a response. The other ladies and I looked at each other, shook our heads, and kept exercising. I didn't keep the coupon.
Keep the faith,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts

Capital City Book Fair 2015

I'm looking forward to chatting with people about my Church Doors novels on May 2nd at the Capital City Book Fair in downtown Trenton, NJ.

My 3rd novel is being edited now, after that, it goes into the pre-publication and publication process. Doing a little nail-biting because I want it to be released before October 2015. I'm doing the work and praying, and I appreciate your prayers also. Speaking of doing the work, gotta go!
Keep the faith,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

ABC Jr. Event

I had a recent book signing table at a unique event. It was for the ABC, Jr. ( Andrew B. Crawford, Jr.) Memorial Scholarship Fund. The annual event is headed by Catherine Crawford, and she is the mother  of the young man we honored. He was taken from this earthly life on November 28, 2002. I didn't know him, but was quite impressed by the outstanding life he led before his departure. His mother founded this scholarship endeavor to help other students achieve their academic goals like her son Andrew did. What a wonderful tribute to her son, to help other young people in such a manner. I was touched by the sincerity and support of the attendees. Some of the award recipients were in attendance. They were very grateful for the help. It's a wonderful effort. Founder and Director Catherine Crawford welcomes tax deductible donations so she and her team can continue to aid more students to meet their goals. Her website is: www.singleparentfellowship.vpweb.com
Keep the faith,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

In The Elevator

There may be nothing to this, but here goes.
You know how you realize you may have been spared from danger, but it doesn't click in your head until you're safely away from the situation?
Last week, I walked into the front entrance of a hospital. As I entered, I heard a person say, "Get out of the car," to a man who looked to be in his mid to late 20's. He got out silently and walked into the lobby. Before going to the elevators, I stopped to check my planner to confirm the floor and office number of my doctor's office: 3rd floor.  Then I got on. I was the only passenger. At the second floor, the same man got on the elevator. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, AND I FEEL WEIRD, I USUALLY GET OFF BEFORE THE DOORS CLOSE. He stood across from me and faced me. I nodded to acknowledge his presence. He didn't respond. When the doors closed, I felt a bit uncomfortable. He rubbed his nose a couple of times and appeared tense. When the doors opened for the 3rd floor, I dashed out. I put the uncomfortable feeling out of my mind. When I left the doctor's office, the same man was in the hallway. When he saw me, he abruptly entered another office waiting room.
Nothing happened, and I'm thankful.
I wish I'd handled it differently, though.
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Help from the Sister Circle

Lately, I've been going back and forth about a title for my 3rd novel, so I decided to get some feedback from people I trust before frustration arrived. I'm glad I did that. Like many writers, I work in isolation, but I'm part of a circle of friends who know me and know my work. When I get stuck chasing around in circles, they provide a few words of clarity and reminders about  my characters and themes. They correctly note that I'm so close to the story that I sometimes need fresh eyes and ears to see and hear about it.
Thank God for my literary circle. Thank you, my sisters.
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com
BEHIND CHURCH DOORS
BEYOND CHURCH DOORS

Random Act of Kindness

I'm in the checkout line at a drugstore today. When it's my turn, the cashier looks at me, smiles, and gives me a cheery, "Hello." I respond in kind. She sees my bracelets and compliments me on them.
"Your bracelets are lovely. Do you take them off when you go to sleep?"
"No, I sleep with them on."
She pulls her sleeve back, takes a bracelet off her arm, and says, "Here, add this to your bracelet collection."
She hands me the bracelet and tells me it's a gift to me from her. The words on the bracelet are:  EXPECT MIRACLES. I'm stunned. The cashier next to her smiles and says, "She gives things away all day; she's sweet like that."
I try to give it back, but she insists. Her only requirement to me is, "I want you to always expect a miracle."
I thank her. I'm so touched that a stranger would treat me to such a random act of kindness.  The good intention toward me is more valuable than the actual bracelet. Then, I realized I'm often so busy doing for others that I don't know I sometimes need a kindness myself. I didn't know I was in "random kindness" need until this happened to me today. Here's a picture of the bracelet.
Thank you, Lady at the drugstore.
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

 Learning begins in the home. It's powerful when our children enter school with this thought: 

My education is important, so I'm going to pay attention and learn today.

A caller on a radio show said a major problem with public schools these days is that many students come to school, but not for the purpose of learning. 

He said, "Some students treat school like a six and a half hour social event."

Initially,  I wanted to disagree with his remark, but as a veteran public school teacher, the faces of some students with that attitude flashed in front of me. I recalled the many strategies I used to motivate those students to learn. Some strategies worked, others didn't. It was always worth the try.

Sylvia

www.sylviabrownroberts.com