Journey to Eternity

About the Book

This book is about a young woman whose life had many ups and downs. Her mother gave her to her father when she was three months old. Her father was a drunk and could not take care of her. Lee Ann was raised by Willie. Lee Ann called Willie Big Mama. Lee Ann's father picked her up from school and dropped her off at Big Mama's house every schoolday. Lee Ann's father was murdered when she was eight years old. She knew that day Big Mama picked her up from school something was wrong. Lee Ann left Dallas after graduating from high school. She moved to New York to live with an aunt to attend college. Before arriving in New York, her aunt took her to Chicago to meet her mother. That was the first and last time Lee Ann saw her mother. Lee Ann met and married Randy. They had a son. Randy murdered their four-month-old son and threatened to kill Lee Ann when he got out of prison. The most tragic things that happened to Lee Ann was the murder of her father and the murder of her four-month-old son. As if life had not been tough enough for her, she developed cancer. With all the abrupt, unexpected changes and shifts she often met in life, she had faith and moral strength that helped her to endure and achieve. Lee Ann faced situations after situations, crisis after crisis, circumstances after circumstances. Life for her strongly resembled a merry-go-round, and it seemed as if the carousel never stopped. One shocking thing after another. Her most valuable prize was her friends. She said, “There is a miracle called friendship that dwells in the heart. You do not know how it happens or when it gets you, but you know the special lift it always brings, and you realize that friendship is one of God’s most precious gifts.” I hope that Lee Ann's journey will be an inspiration to all. I say to you, know the good from bad. If you ever find yourself on the ground, crushed by life’s circumstances, do not get up the way you went down. Get up with a new mind-set.

About the Author

Dr. Nellie Brown grew up in Rock Hill, South Carolina. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in education, she moved to New York, where she became a teacher and continued her education. Nellie is an adjunct professor of mathematics at the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC). She taught in the New York City Public Schools for many years. She received her bachelor of arts in elementary education from Benedict College and a master of arts in education, master of science in supervision and administration from City University of New York (CUNY). She received a master of math and science from Long Island University (LIU) and her PhD from Phoenix University. The course on writing process at Columbia University motivated her to continue her writing. She has written over five hundred poems and about five short stories. However, this is her first publication. A friend asked her to write this story. She wanted it to be known that against all odds, life can be beautiful. She enjoys swimming, bowling, music, going to the theater, reading, writing, and cooking. Writing has always been her passion. A day doesn’t pass unless she is writing something.