“My Grandfather, My Angel”
It is rare that I still do not think about my grandfather at some point during the day. He taught me about unconditional love. No, my grandfather was unconditional love. In addition, I know he also saved my life on at least three occasions.
My grandfather saved my life first when we were swimming in the Mattaponi River beside his farm. He had taught me how to swim, and I know I was a good swimmer because I would later swim for hours along the shoreline. This near-miss tragedy occurred when I was in primary school. I suddenly could not stay above water. I think it was high tide, and I had unconsciously gone out beyond the dock where the water was now over my head and panicked when I could not touch the bottom. My grandfather quickly rushed to my side and swam me to shore. I remembered much later how that best described the depth of his love for me.
Want to read about the other two times Joanna’s grandfather saved her life? You’ll have to get the book and read her essay and the many different essays and poems (and one short story) inside!
ALL NIGHT, ALL DAY: life, death & angels was released June 20, 2023, at a fantastic party at Novel Bookstore, Memphis, Tennessee. I was so excited to meet and hear the other authors.
About the Book
There is something mystical about holding a person’s hand “crossing over.” It can be heartbreaking, of course, but also very holy and beautiful. Some pieces in this collection share the experience of personal loss when a loved one dies. Often, the presence of an angel or another mystical experience is shared. But not only in death–there are also stories of the way the mystical world interacts with us in daily life. And not only angels but also mothers, fathers, sisters, grandfathers, and friends.
All Night, All Day is an inspirational collection of personal essays, stories, and poems by outstanding women authors who write about the appearance of the divine in their lives. Some angels come to save a life or change a flat tire. Some appear to warn people, tell them what to do, and suggest more vegetables and maybe better shoes.
Contributors: Cassandra King - Suzanne Henley - River Jordan - Sally Palmer Thomason - Natasha Trethewey - Sonja Livingston - Johnnie Bernhard - Frederica Mathewes-Green - Angela Jackson-Brown - Christa Allan - Renea Winchester - Jacqueline Allen Trimble - Mandy Haynes - Wendy Reed - Lisa Gornick - Jennifer Horne - Ann Fisher-Wirth - Averyell Kessler - Lauren Camp - Cathy Smith Bowers - Nancy Dorman-Hickson - Joanna Seibert - Susan Cushman - Claire Fullerton - Julie Cantrell.
I will always hold dear the friends and authors who came to the release of All Day, All Night at Novel Bookstore, Memphis, last June, and for Susan Cushman, who planned it all.
Joanna. joannaseibert.com
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