This is the beginning of my story.Born last on a cold day in January 22, 1938.My mother went to the hospital expecting one child.She gave birth to a little girl named Leilani, three hours later I was born.Her identical twins.Like it says in the Bible “God replenishes the world with new spirits”, and I was a new spirit.I grew after the depression when things were very hard for everybody.
I lived in a neighborhood where all colored people and some white lived in harmony.The early recollection that I have being at home was having hard times.There were times when there were feasts or famine.I used to roller skate and I thought that was the greatest thing in the In fact I wore out two pairs.So, as you read this book there will be different chapters of my experiences in my life.Some are funny, some will make you cry, some will give you hope, but this is my journey.My name is Lorelei Thomas.I am 64 years old and I’m reporting this so I can write my book.And, with God’s help you’re probably reading it now because it has been completed. Now, I’m going to go back to school days.I remember when I was a little girl I was going to school.My sister and I were dressed alike, being that we were always dressed alike because we were twins.I remember mother taking us down the street to go to AcademyAvenueSchool.But for some reason we didn’t get to the kindergarten.They put us in first grade.I enjoyed school that day.The only thing that had me upset was about after school, when someone was supposed to walk us home.Well, she never came for us.So, my sister and I made our own way home.That was the first day of school.Later on as time went by we started going to school on our own.There were no buses then for black kids to ride on. We had to make our own way.We had to walk from East Avenue about four blocks to get to Junior High School.We walked in snow, cold, sleet, and rain.It didn’t matter, the point was, get out of the house and go to school.To miss school back then was to get a beating.And we’re talking serious beating.I can remember early in the morning getting up in a house that was so cold, that I had to put my hands in front of my chest to keep warm.And, you could blow your breath an see it in every room you went.Mother was at work early in the morning and there’d be cold water to wash with.And, when you went in the kitchen there was breakfast.The breakfast was cornflakes, a big, giant box and evaporated milk.I hated evaporated milk and I hated cornflakes.Also, the milkman would stop by with a bottle of milk and if you looked at it, it would have cream from the top to the bottom.But, we weren’t aloud to have that.I can remember another time going to school and looking at my shoes which had holes in the soles.And I used to take the cornflake box and cut off a round piece of paper and put it in the soles of my shoes so that my socks would stay dry.And, the heels of my socks had giant holes.I just actually had the rim around my ankle because there were no heels in my socks.But that wasn’t important, the main thing was to get to school.I can remember sitting in school and smelling the lunch cooking in the cafeteria, but I never got to eat one.Instead, I would have a quarter for the week to go to the store and get a hard roll.That was my lunch.Then I would walk home from school like everybody else would walk home.The children would run home and the ones that had two parents, those parents would help them with their homework.I came home to a cold, empty house.No one to help with my homework.And, I can remember being hungry and the snack of the day would be a fifty pound bag of potatoes in the cellar, a knife, a jar of grease and ice water in the fridge.And, if I wanted to eat I would have to cut those potatoes and fry them. So that was some of my childhood.
Now we had neighbors that lived next door to us.They had their own house. And, they had a lot of children.
Formats
Softcover
$18.49
Softcover
$18.49
Book Details
Language :
English
Publication Date :
12/13/2005
Format :
Softcover
Dimensions :
6x9
Page Count :
256
ISBN :
9781420890440
About the Book
My book is about two twin sisters, Lailani and Lorelei.How we grew up in our hometown.I talk about back in the days when we were little.How nice my Grandma’s house was.She took care of us.We lived much hand to mouth.My mother you wouldn’t believe the things she did.We had no father.I talk about our neighborhood.White folks and black folks.Back in the days people would work hard all week, then get dressed up and go out partying on Friday and Saturday nights.Like living in Harlem Renaissance around here.Only on a smaller scale.Black people celebrating life, working hard in factories.I talk about church was a strong foundation.I describe how far I came and what I lost.Up close and personal.A lot of racism, hard times for me and my sister.Big problems in the atmosphere I was raised in.Neglect - Violence - Abuse - Many things - Teen relation - Pain - Misery - Tears.You won’t forget about the miracle and the faith that I have.Too black to be white and too white to be black.About all my babies, the joy they gave me.Most of all my sense of humor.Drugs and how they created big problems.I remember a grudge my ex had against me.The hurts dead-end situation.A family secret never told.The benefit of wisdom, you don’t want to be judged or dismissed because of your color, or because you’re poor!
About the Author
My name is Lorelei Thomas, 67, of Middletown, New York.Mother of six children and grandmother of 20.After developing rheumatoid arthritis in her knees, hands, arms and wrists, she retired at 45 from sewing piecework in factories.I was bedridden with pain for 3 months.I became born-again at 40.I cried out to Jesus to help me.And He did.He has helped me overcome several serious medical problems including cancer, and He helped me through surgery several times.I had two knees replaced in HelenHayesHospital.I stayed there 3½ months, learned how to use a wheelchair, and received an award for courage!At 64 a new hip and Special Surgery in New York.Don’t feel sorry for me, I’m blessed.I lived in the Summit Field housing projects for 40 years.I began painting with acrylics on canvas, I never knew I could paint.I donated some to my ward to doctors and friends.All of my paintings depict some type of spiritual or religious scene.All are really colorful.I believe God is using me for this expression.I am now an artist.I am well known in Middleton.I have many exhibits.Hudson Valley Black Press Barbara Bedell, staff writer for the Times Herald Record introduced me to the art world for black history.I was on cable and cablevision. I also shared my story many times in the Time Herald Record.I received praise on the night I gave a mural.I gave a mural to Orange County Coalition for Crime Victims.I am a self-taught artist, painting is my passion.I gave many paintings to churches.Every Christmas for the last 11 years, I have given a party for the children and older residents.Everyone rejoices.I help out with Sunday School.I spend time each day reading the Holy Bible.The Lord is my strength and my redeemer.He is a loving and caring father, a spirit - He’s always here.I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
