Today we’d like to introduce you to Delores Freeman.
Hi Delores, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I migrated from Arkansas to Lansing by way of Chicago in the late 1960s.… New to every thing… a new wife. a new mother…in a new place, a new way of life and definitely in need of a new income.
My 30 year career at General Motors was cut a bit short by a life-threatening illness. Told I had three years left, the illness gripped me and held me captive for several years. I really needed to take assessment and figure out if this was all there was or if maybe it could be just a new beginning for me.
My loving family stood by me, supported my efforts and loved me through it all, and I slowly started to heal and evolve with an idea that maybe I was still here because I had a mission. Now 22 years past that doctor’s prediction.
I began to write…. to read my pieces…sharing the ideas my heart and hand penned on paper. I also began to reach out to others via a local TV program… hoping to inspire or even motivate.
I am yet hopeful that something I write or share will give others hope.
I love that my ancestors were Strong and willful and resilient. They inspired me to continue to love and uplift.
My mission, through numerous presentations and conversations and tributes over the years has always been to speak truth…my truth and let others know they too have an opportunity to speak up and uplift. We are All in this together.
My seven poetry books all speak of my true love and desire to be the best version of myself and to honor the past while helping to create a better future for my heirs and all people.
I thank Dr Taylor for her support and am humbled to submit this brief story to you.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Many, many struggles. The fact that I am African-American, should give you an indication of how we must always press forward. The hurdles are placed in front of us, behind us, and on either side. We must be in continuous survival mode.
I have truly been blessed to live a long life. I have observed many disheartening things over the years.
As a people, we are the last to get hired and the first to get fired….Always and Still!!
We are mistreated because of our Color. We are misinterpreted because of our color. .
So to answer your question of has it been a smooth road… No, it has not been a smooth road. And until racism and the idea of privilege have been thwarted,…. it can never be a smooth road for African-Americans.
I am currently witnessing a reversal of all the progress we’ve made in the past hundred years. So, I am not expecting a smooth road in the near future either.
Of course, I had a 30 year career at General motors… But was hired because of a semi affirmative action type situation for them…. They needed more African-American representation at the time… 1972 to be exact.
I’m thinking, and I’m thankful… that I have been blessed to have had minimal rough roads in my personal experiences… once I left the southern part of the country and the sharecropping experiences I feel I’ve flourished. Even jumping through most hurdles with confidence.
Overcoming the past pains of poverty in my youth was like a weight lifted from my essence. Thoroughly BLESSED now…. those memories don’t even rate to take up space in my mind. All those challenges have only made me stronger and determined to move into a positive future for me and all with whom I interact.
So thankful to have overcome!!!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As a retired accountant… I believe I now use both sides of my brain. I take pride in writing poetry, prose and editorials.
I believe I specialize in giving words of encouragement and inspiration, and sometimes even motivation within my poetry.
Here in Lansing I’m known for my Poetry, either writing it or reading it. I’m asked often to pen tributes to people in the community .
I am most proud of my adult children who have grown into wise, caring and productive human beings…. But I think you’re talking about my work … right?
I’m actually proud of my seven books of poetry. And the fact that over the years I have interviewed and showcased hundreds of people and their stories on the show that I produced…
Poetree N Motion.
I think my ability to create and share what’s in my heart and my head sets me apart from many others, though not all others because they are other fantastic poets… Even here in LANSING.
Maybe my continuous output is what could potentially set me apart.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I guess I’m not one who actually believes in luck, per se. I would categorize the good things in my life as blessings….I believe that I’ve been blessed….
Enormously blessed. The things I’d consider bad are few and far between. My illness could’ve been bad had I not had strong support and a mindset that God was not ready for me yet.
And all those many blessings have enabled me to have a fulfilled and happy life.
In fact, I believe it’s only by the grace of these blessings that I have been able to reach this wonderful age that I have attained. .I can truthfully say that I am healthy, wealthy, and wise… to a certain degree!
And I definitely know that my creativity comes from a higher power.… Which continues to mold me and shape my experiences, as well as continue to inspire me to write and write more.
So I think… Who needs luck when I’ve got a Creator who covers me in everything I do.
Pricing:
- BOLD CONVERSATIONS $24.
- CONVERSATIONS … COLOUR OF LIFE $17
- POETRY SHE WROTE…ON THE MOVE $15
- POETRY SHE WROTE…Love Ever Flowing $25
- POETRY SHE WROTE…Reflections $15
Contact Info:
- Website: [email protected]
