STORIES FORGED
FROM LIVED TRUTH

Innocence

Childhood to fourteen was priceless; if possible, I would capture it in a bottle to replay over and over, not merely reflect on. Looking through rose-colored glasses, I viewed the world. As I became wiser, I realized I had looked for that fatherly love from guys I dated.

In my books, I speak of my mother instilling within me tenacity, perseverance, courage, and patience—all helping me get through being tested and tried by fire, depending on God to see me through it all. The great lesson I learned was: “Love yourself...the rest will follow and flow.”

Recognition of Praise

Whenever I hear the Temptations' hit song, “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” I think of my father. My father was not a good parent, not a good role model, more absent than present in our lives. He was disrespectful, not loving Mom as a man truly loved a woman, so it is no surprise we do not speak about him. All our conversations are much love, praise, and adoration to the late great Cora Simpson.

Renea

Throughout history, this name has taken many variations, but all with one meaning: “rebirth.” These variants were derived from the first matriarch: “Renata.” Renata was the Latin name, used by the Early Roman Christians, taken up temporarily by the 17th-century Puritans, and still occasionally used in modern times. In Australia, it had the most success, especially popular during the 1970s. But success gradually faded quietly. The English pronunciation of the name led to variants such as: Rennie, Renie, Renay, Renny, Reney, and Renea.

My name also means “positive thinker.” Throughout my life chapters, as one closes and another begins, I've kept strong faith in God, optimistic about my future, and belief in my writing talent. It is God-given. — Renea Simpson