Everybody Say Amen

I
am so blessed. And of course I have to first give praises to God, who just keeps on blessing me and helps me achieve and realize things others only dream about.

I look at how far I’ve come in this literary journey and I know that I wouldn’t have done it without the love, support, and encouragement of my husband, Dr. Miron Billingsley. Thank you for helping me realize my dream; know that I’m right there as you work to realize yours.

To my babies…Mya Simone and Morgan Camille. I began this journey when you were in the womb. Now, you are the fuel that keeps me moving along this road. Know that everything I do—I do for you. If you could just learn to be okay with people “taking Mommy’s books.” Mya, my proudest moment was when you wrote your first book so you could be “just like Mommy.”

To my mother, Nancy…I’ve come a long way from the four-page letters that I used to write to you in high school to express myself. Thank you for struggling to give us a better life. You laid the foundation. I can’t wait until I can repay you (I can hear you now—“I can’t wait for you to repay me, either.”).

Tanisha…more than ever, you and Mom helped me get this book done by taking the girls so I could make it do what it do. Thank you for being a Jill-of-all-trades. Keep pushing my books and you just might get that new car yet. (Why is it when relatives think you’re doing all right, they want you to buy them something major—a house, a car? Whatever happened to “Can you buy me a new pair of shoes?”…But I digress.)

To two of my very best friends, Jaimi Canady and Raquelle Lewis…thank you for always being there for me, supporting all of my dreams, and not mistaking my lack of time for a lack of love. Jaimi, you told me you always felt God had a higher calling for me. I’ve found it.

To Pat “Speed Writer” Tucker Wilson. I could spend the next ten pages thanking you for all you’ve done for me…the hours and hours of conversations; you keeping me grounded and sane with everything from the TV station to the literary industry. There are very few people in this world I know I can call at the drop of a dime about anything and they’re there. You’re one of them. I told you your time was coming. Now do your thang.

To my wonderful, spectacular, fabulous, phenomenal, dynamic (former) editor, Selena James (can you tell I have mad love for her?). Thank you so much for nurturing me on this literary journey and listening with a straight face as I brainstormed endless ideas that sometimes I know had you wanting to say, “Get real.” To Brigitte Smith and Maggie Crawford, thank you so much for picking up where Selena left off and working tirelessly to ensure that this would be the best book it could be. Special thanks also to Louise Burke, Melissa Gram-stead, and the sales team. And to everyone else at Simon & Schuster/Pocket Books, thank you for believing in my work. The sky’s the limit.

You know I have to give a huge, huge thanks to my agent, Sara Camilli, who is always looking out for me and believed in me way back when.

To my boys at the J-O-B, Fox 26 News: Ray Williams, Charles Hobson, Ray Ramirez, Torrey Walker, Joe McGinty, Isiah Carey (check out his blog at carey2.blogspot.com), Rodney Pearson, and Xavier Kirts. (Xavier, keep the faith—your lotto numbers will come in.) To my spiritual/business advisor, “Deacon” Todd Smith. Man, I can’t thank you enough for helping me keep my head up when I felt beat down. You were there as I wrote this book, helping me to stay focused on the bigger picture and to remember above all else, rely on God when life gets you down. You are more than just a colleague. You’re a friend. See you at Starbucks to broker those big deals.

To the real First Ladies who let me pick their brains and who talked to me about how a “real woman of God” should act: Luela Walker (my First Lady), Vonda Edwards, Mia Wright, Doris Childress, Doris Ratcliffe, and Kayla Simmons.

To the ministers who provide inspiration (the good stuff) for my stories: Rev. Harvey Walker (my pastor), Rev. Mark Edwards, Rev. Moses Woodruff, Jr., Rev. Terrence Johnson, Rev. KirbyJon Caldwell, Rev. Robert Childress, Bishop T. D. Jakes, Bishop Eddie Long, Rev. Remus Wright.

Thanks also to the authors who never hesitate to help a sister out: King “The world ain’t ready for me” Jihad (keep your head up), Victoria Christopher Murray, Nina Foxx, Norma Jarrett, Jacqueline Thomas, Sheila Dansby Harvey, James Guittard, Carl Weber, Eric Pete, and Zane and the Strebor Family. Much love also to the other ladies of Femme Fantastik (Lori, Carmen, Trisha, and Wendy).

Now, let me get to the part that I know is going to get me in trouble because I know I’ll leave someone out. But here goes…

Thanks so much, as always, to my sorors of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., especially the Houston area chapters, including my own—Mu Kappa Omega—and my sister’s chapter, Chi Omicron Omega; and to my girls who were there for me when I was making $5 an hour as an anchor in Port Arthur—Kim Wright, Clemelia Richardson, Finisha Waits, Beverly Davis, Leslie Mouton, and Trina McReynolds.

Also thanks to Deidre Lodrig, Angie Pickett Henderson, Carlos Canady, Saki Indakwa, my former co-workers at Fox 26 News, and all my other friends and family. To JeCaryous Johnson, Gary Guidry, and LaKeysha Jones at I’m Ready Productions and Keith Davis and Deshawn Colbert at DMARS.

Thanks to the schools and churches that have already had me out and allowed me to do what I do best—inspire and motivate young people; especially Contemporary Learning Center; Madison, Kashmere, and Westside High Schools; Christa McAuliffe Middle School; Klentzman Intermediate; Alief Hastings, St. Luke’s, Brentwood, Brookhollow, Friendship West, New Birth, Mt. Ararat, Mt. Horeb, and Higher Dimensions Baptist Churches; as well as Windsor Village United Methodist Church and Ft. Bend Church.

Thanks also to all the book clubs and bookstores that have shown me mad, mad love. Nnette’s Book Break; Go On Girl (Texas 1) (special thanks to Betty for the Mimosa); Shades of You; Turning Pages (people are still raving about my purse); Zora Neale Hurston; Kindred Spirits; Cover 2 Cover; Cush City; Tea Rose (a bookclub with a butler—but then what else would I expect from women of your caliber?); Coffee, Tea and Read; Bsure; Ladies of Expression; Nubian Page Turners (you ladies definitely tell it like it is!); Pages Between Sistahs; Sistahs in Spirit; Black Orchids; Gwen Furr and Wal-Mart store #872; My Sisters & Me; Sistahs Who Are Reading; Mahogany Souls; and Kismet Book Clubs.

I know my acknowledgments run a bit long, but when you’ve been blessed to have so many wonderful people in your life…well, I just can’t make excuses for letting them know they’re appreciated. (And if I forgot your name, you’re still appreciated and you love me so much you won’t hold it against me, right
.)

Until next time, drop me a line and let me know what you think of the books.

Thanks for the love.
Peace.
ReShonda