My Cotton Patch Moment

As Mother's Day vastly approaches, although she has been gone for 16 years, I feel my Mama's influence all around me. As I read an excerpt from my memoir, Daddy's House: A Daughter's Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots , I can't help but feel the deep currents of love, loss, and the unbreakable bond between a mother and a child. Despite the sharp sting of missing her, I aim to leave you with a hopeful note—cherish the precious connections in your life, celebrate them, for in them lies true joy. Wondering what some readers are saying about my memoir? Here is a portion of one review from Amazon: In her book, Daddy's House, Mildred Mills is an example of fortitude, faith, and determination, never giving up in the face of what seems like impossible odds. This book encourages anyone who has ever had roadblocks and setbacks to persevere and rise above their situation. The book also reminded me of the duplicities of growing up in the rural south during that period, stinky pig pens, out houses, and chicken coops, yet the sweet smell of honeysuckle vines. It was an excellent read. Our book club enjoyed it immensely. Honorable Mentions Proclamation 8253—Mother's Day, 2008 Mahalia Jackson - Take My Hand, Precious Lord 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 This podcast is hosted by Mildred J. Mills. Mildred writes raw and poignant stories describing monumental highs and devastating lows as she takes her reader and listener on a journey of laughter and tears. Mildred survived a childhood of picking cotton on her strict, domineering father’s farm and thrived in a male-dominant IT industry for forty years. Mildred recently completed her manuscript, a memoir, "Daddy’s House: A Daughter’s Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots." You can be the first one to know when it is available for purchase by following her here. 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 If you would love to connect with Mildred, join her in these following spaces: Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Twitter Have you been inspired by this Cotton Patch Moment? If so, Mildred encourages you to leave a review, comment, email and tell her about it! Also, share this episode with someone you love. You never know who needs to hear an inspiring word. The music and sound effects for this episode came from Epidemic Sound, Soundstripe and/or Pixabay. Crackers In Soup is the audio editor and producer for this episode.

As I soared above the clouds on my way to Houston, memories flooded my mind of the pivotal moments in my life that led me to this monumental book signing event for Daddy's House: A Daughter's Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots . From the challenges of a long-distance marriage to the resilience and growth we experienced in Houston, this journey has been a true testament to the fabric of my being. The book event itself, surrounded by dear friends and family, was a culmination of love, support, and the realization that anything is possible. Wondering what some readers are saying about my memoir? Here is a portion of one review from Amazon: As someone who attended high school with the author and grew up in the same hometown I found, as I read the book, that we can never know what another person is enduring when you are sitting right next to them. This story was told after years of conflicts and trials and I fought back tears at times while reading the chapters. It moves me that someone can open their heart and share like Mildred did in this story. Just to survive 16 siblings was an accomplishment in itself. This book is definitely a worthwhile read. 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 This podcast is hosted by Mildred J. Mills. Mildred writes raw and poignant stories describing monumental highs and devastating lows as she takes her reader and listener on a journey of laughter and tears. Mildred survived a childhood of picking cotton on her strict, domineering father’s farm and thrived in a male-dominant IT industry for forty years. Mildred recently completed her manuscript, a memoir, "Daddy’s House: A Daughter’s Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots." You can be the first one to know when it is available for purchase by following her here. 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 If you would love to connect with Mildred, join her in these following spaces: Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Twitter Have you been inspired by this Cotton Patch Moment? If so, Mildred encourages you to leave a review, comment, email and tell her about it! Also, share this episode with someone you love. You never know who needs to hear an inspiring word. The music and sound effects for this episode came from Epidemic Sound, Soundstripe and/or Pixabay. Crackers In Soup is the audio editor and producer for this episode.

I am honored to say, like my mother, I have been gifted with seven decades and three years and the more I live, the more I admire old women! Throughout each decade, I found out something new about myself. From feeling the lowest I ever felt in my 20s to completing my memoir, Daddy's House: A Daughter's Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots in my 70s, all of my experiences are fertile grounds for My Cotton Patch Moments! Wondering what some readers are saying about my memoir? Here is a portion of one review from Amazon: Mildred Mills showed a lot of courage in writing her memoir detailing her family life, challenges, triumphs, abuse and joy. The imagery in the book is so vivid that it feels like you are standing beside her, watching it all unfold. For instance, the car ride leaving the farm while the “sun peaked over the hill looking like a sizzling egg yolk” sparks visions of a bright future as she is freed from home to start a new life at college and beyond. The book is a rollercoaster of emotions, making you laugh and cry throughout, not wanting to put it down. Honorable Mentions Courageous Woman Magazine Heart & Soul Magazine Recognizing older women and their wisdom Towards Positive Aging: Links between Forgiveness and Health Don't Be Caged By Your Age 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 This podcast is hosted by Mildred J. Mills. Mildred writes raw and poignant stories describing monumental highs and devastating lows as she takes her reader and listener on a journey of laughter and tears. Mildred survived a childhood of picking cotton on her strict, domineering father’s farm and thrived in a male-dominant IT industry for forty years. Mildred recently completed her manuscript, a memoir, "Daddy’s House: A Daughter’s Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots." You can be the first one to know when it is available for purchase by following her here. 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 If you would love to connect with Mildred, join her in these following spaces: Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Twitter Have you been inspired by this Cotton Patch Moment? If so, Mildred encourages you to leave a review, comment, email and tell her about it! Also, share this episode with someone you love. You never know who needs to hear an inspiring word. The music and sound effects for this episode came from Epidemic Sound, Soundstripe and/or Pixabay. Crackers In Soup is the audio editor and producer for this episode.

Marcus Thomas is quoted as saying: "Speak your dream into existence and the universe will attract the right circumstances and conditions for it to be realized.” I am living proof that this quote is spot on. From creating this podcast to writing my memoir, Daddy's House: A Daughter’s Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots, I have been continuously saying I am a motivational speaker. After being invited to speak at the Antioche African Methodist Episcopal Church Inc. located in Stone Mountain, Georgia, after this experience, I don't just say I am a motivational speaker. I AM a motivational speaker! Wondering what some readers are saying about my memoir? Here is a portion of one review from Amazon: Mildred J. Mills debut memoir Daddy's House: A Daughter's Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above her Roots is a moving account of one woman's not just surviving but thriving despite everything life, her family, and her ever-changing circumstances throw at her. Mills's use of imagery immediately draws us into her world, starting in the dirt and grit of the south, making it a highly visceral and poetic read. Honorable Mentions Antioch AME Live: "Sunday Worship" Pastor Vandy Simmons 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 This podcast is hosted by Mildred J. Mills. Mildred writes raw and poignant stories describing monumental highs and devastating lows as she takes her reader and listener on a journey of laughter and tears. Mildred survived a childhood of picking cotton on her strict, domineering father’s farm and thrived in a male-dominant IT industry for forty years. Mildred recently completed her manuscript, a memoir, "Daddy’s House: A Daughter’s Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots." You can be the first one to know when it is available for purchase by following her here. 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 If you would love to connect with Mildred, join her in these following spaces: Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Twitter Have you been inspired by this Cotton Patch Moment? If so, Mildred encourages you to leave a review, comment, email and tell her about it! Also, share this episode with someone you love. You never know who needs to hear an inspiring word. The music and sound effects for this episode came from Epidemic Sound, Soundstripe and/or Pixabay. Crackers In Soup is the audio editor and producer for this episode.

Do you ever think about your historical footprint? When I was asked: "What do you feel will be your legacy"? I answered: "My legacy will be the courage, bravery and vulnerability to share the story of a life well lived in my book, Daddy's House: A Daughter’s Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots ". I shared more...but you are just going to have to listen to the episode to find out what else I had to say! Wondering what some readers are saying about my memoir? Here is a portion of one review from Amazon: It's a poignant journey from adversity to triumph, revealing unimaginable highs alongside gut-wrenching lows. The author's honesty in recounting her rural Alabama upbringing, navigating success, and enduring harrowing experiences is profoundly moving. Her resilience and transformation into a successful professional and loving family woman are truly inspiring. Despite the pain, her portrayal of love and forgiveness for those who caused her harm shows her strength. I think this memoir is a compelling book so I recommend reading it. Honorable Mentions The Ultimate Guide to Leaving a Legacy How Reading Books Can Help to Change the World I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee The Spook Who Sat By the Door by Sam Greenlee “What, to a Slave, is the Fourth of July" by Frederick Douglas “Ain’t I a Woman?” by Sojourner Truth I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King, Jr. 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 This podcast is hosted by Mildred J. Mills. Mildred writes raw and poignant stories describing monumental highs and devastating lows as she takes her reader and listener on a journey of laughter and tears. Mildred survived a childhood of picking cotton on her strict, domineering father’s farm and thrived in a male-dominant IT industry for forty years. Mildred recently completed her manuscript, a memoir, "Daddy’s House: A Daughter’s Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots." You can be the first one to know when it is available for purchase by following her here. 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 If you would love to connect with Mildred, join her in these following spaces: Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Twitter Have you been inspired by this Cotton Patch Moment? If so, Mildred encourages you to leave a review, comment, email and tell her about it! Also, share this episode with someone you love. You never know who needs to hear an inspiring word. The music and sound effects for this episode came from Epidemic Sound, Soundstripe and/or Pixabay. Crackers In Soup is the audio editor and producer for this episode.

In this episode, I introduce you to the world of publication. I learned it is not enough to have a captivating story. If you aren't "known", most publishers are unwilling to invest in you or your book. But that didn't stop me from taking my memoir from a dream into a reality! Not only did I write my memoir and find my "right-for-me" publisher but in one month, this book has reached the #1 Best Seller and "Hot New Release" on Amazon!! Here is where you can purchase your copy of my memoir, Daddy's House: A Daughter’s Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots . Wondering what some readers are saying? Here is a portion of one review from Amazon: Mildred J Mills’ memoir was so captivating from the beginning to the end that once I started I had a hard time putting it down. Daddy’s House tackles many topics that many, especially African American families deal with: strict parenting, assault, racial and gender discrimination, mental health. Most of all it shows resilience and that through hard work, dedication and faith in God, success will be yours. Honorable Mentions Most People Never Finish Writing Their Book Rejection and How to Deal With It How to Use Hybrid Publishing to Get Your Novel Published Book Royalties 101: How They Work (Complete Guide) 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 This podcast is hosted by Mildred J. Mills. Mildred writes raw and poignant stories describing monumental highs and devastating lows as she takes her reader and listener on a journey of laughter and tears. Mildred survived a childhood of picking cotton on her strict, domineering father’s farm and thrived in a male-dominant IT industry for forty years. Mildred recently completed her manuscript, a memoir, "Daddy’s House: A Daughter’s Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots." You can be the first one to know when it is available for purchase by following her here. 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 If you would love to connect with Mildred, join her in these following spaces: Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Twitter Have you been inspired by this Cotton Patch Moment? If so, Mildred encourages you to leave a review, comment, email and tell her about it! Also, share this episode with someone you love. You never know who needs to hear an inspiring word. The music and sound effects for this episode came from Epidemic Sound, Soundstripe and/or Pixabay. Crackers In Soup is the audio editor and producer for this episode.

I quietly say a prayer for anyone missing a mother this festive season. As more friends and acquaintances share their experiences about their mothers getting Alzheimer's and dementia, it made me think of my own mother and her daily prayer asking God that she be of "right mind all the days" of her life. Thankfully, she was. This holiday season, I am asking Santa to make sure I become a "super ager," someone over 80 with an exceptional memory. One of the things that will help me get there is by keeping a sharp mind. I am doing just that by taking care of my body, my spirit, and my mind. That is just one of the reasons I wrote my memoir Daddy's House: A Daughter’s Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots that is out now. Here is a portion of one review: Wow, what an eye opening read! This was a hard book to put down. It is such a raw honest story of abuse, betrayal, forgiveness, love, and the drive for a better life. Mildred Mills is a masterful storyteller. Her detailed descriptions of her upbringing makes the reader feel like they are on the farm with her bearing witness to her experiences. Honorable Mentions Facing Dementia in the Family The Joys of Aging Celebrating What's Right With Aging: Inside the Minds of Super Agers Oh, the Places You'll Go! 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 This podcast is hosted by Mildred J. Mills. Mildred writes raw and poignant stories describing monumental highs and devastating lows as she takes her reader and listener on a journey of laughter and tears. Mildred survived a childhood of picking cotton on her strict, domineering father’s farm and thrived in a male-dominant IT industry for forty years. Mildred recently completed her manuscript, a memoir, "Daddy’s House: A Daughter’s Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots." You can be the first one to know when it is available for purchase by following her here. 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 If you would love to connect with Mildred, join her in these following spaces: Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Twitter Have you been inspired by this Cotton Patch Moment? If so, Mildred encourages you to leave a review, comment, email and tell her about it! Also, share this episode with someone you love. You never know who needs to hear an inspiring word. The music and sound effects for this episode came from Epidemic Sound, Soundstripe and/or Pixabay. Crackers In Soup is the audio editor and producer for this episode.

In my memoir: "Daddy’s House: A Daughter’s Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots," which will be published in December, I share many stories over a sixty-five period. But, like with any editing process, some stories do not make the cut. In this week's episode, I share some of those stories. One of my favorites is about the tradition of Christmas and my continued belief that the best presents are ones given from the heart. If you want to give your loved ones a heartfelt present this year, purchase my memoir. I share stories for readers of all ages. Connect with me here at https://mildredjmills.com/ to be notified when my book is ready for pre-order. Honorable Mentions Is My Teenager Ready for Baptism? For some kids, Santa is scary Fruit Mixing – An Age-Old Christmas Tradition Why Storytelling is Important 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 This podcast is hosted by Mildred J. Mills. Mildred writes raw and poignant stories describing monumental highs and devastating lows as she takes her reader and listener on a journey of laughter and tears. Mildred survived a childhood of picking cotton on her strict, domineering father’s farm and thrived in a male-dominant IT industry for forty years. Mildred recently completed her manuscript, a memoir, "Daddy’s House: A Daughter’s Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots." You can be the first one to know when it is available for purchase by following her here. 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 If you would love to connect with Mildred, join her in these following spaces: Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Twitter Have you been inspired by this Cotton Patch Moment? If so, Mildred encourages you to leave a review, comment, email and tell her about it! Also, share this episode with someone you love. You never know who needs to hear an inspiring word. The music and sound effects for this episode came from Epidemic Sound, Soundstripe and/or Pixabay. Crackers In Soup is the audio editor and producer for this episode.

When I was younger, I often heard that "Everyone wants to go to Heaven, but nobody wants to die." But as the years pass, I am proud to grow older. After seeing many loved ones experience health issues, I have made a point of eating right, exercising, and having a positive attitude. Aging is a natural process, and I am excited to spend time with my loved ones, gaining new experiences like writing my book: "Daddy’s House: A Daughter’s Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots," due in December. Be the first to know when it is available by following me here. Honorable Mentions Why I Genuinely Look Forward to Aging Diabetes in Black Communities Eating Well as You Age Biological, Behavioral, and Social Factors Affecting Health The Importance of Mental Health 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 This podcast is hosted by Mildred J. Mills. Mildred writes raw and poignant stories describing monumental highs and devastating lows as she takes her reader and listener on a journey of laughter and tears. Mildred survived a childhood of picking cotton on her strict, domineering father’s farm and thrived in a male-dominant IT industry for forty years. Mildred recently completed her manuscript, a memoir, "Daddy’s House: A Daughter’s Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots." You can be the first one to know when it is available for purchase by following her here. 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 If you would love to connect with Mildred, join her in these following spaces: Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Twitter Have you been inspired by this Cotton Patch Moment? If so, Mildred encourages you to leave a review, comment, email and tell her about it! Also, share this episode with someone you love. You never know who needs to hear an inspiring word. The music and sound effects for this episode came from Epidemic Sound, Soundstripe and/or Pixabay. Crackers In Soup is the audio editor and producer for this episode.

Welcome to Season 2, where I will focus on health and well-being. New York Times and international bestselling author Eleanor Brown states, “Self-care is not selfish. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.” How true that is. I learned this twice in my life. Once while battling a Texas employer in a civil lawsuit and once when I became overwhelmed with the demands of creativity. I am excited that one of these stories is detailed in My memoir: "Daddy’s House: A Daughter’s Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots," due in December. Be the first to know when it is available by following me here. Honorable Mentions Welcome to 'Billionaire Lane' What We Carry: A Memoir by Maya Shanbhag Lang Wendy Winn Island of Incarceration, Island of Freedom The Importance of Taking Breaks The Benefits And Importance Of A Support System Write a Review for My Cotton Patch Moment 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 This podcast is hosted by Mildred J. Mills. Mildred writes raw and poignant stories describing monumental highs and devastating lows as she takes her reader and listener on a journey of laughter and tears. Mildred survived a childhood of picking cotton on her strict, domineering father’s farm and thrived in a male-dominant IT industry for forty years. Mildred recently completed her manuscript, a memoir, Unbroken: My Journey of Defiance, Resilience, & Grace". You can be the first one to know when it is available for purchase by following her here. 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 If you would love to connect with Mildred, join her in these following spaces: Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Twitter Have you been inspired by this Cotton Patch Moment? If so, Mildred encourages you to leave a review, comment, email and tell her about it! Also, share this episode with someone you love. You never know who needs to hear an inspiring word. The music and sound effects for this episode came from Epidemic Sound, Soundstripe and/or Pixabay. Crackers In Soup is the audio editor and producer for this episode.

Who knew writing my memoir would lead to a podcast? I sure didn't. But a literary agent reviewing my book informed me that since I was not famous or an athlete or politician known to thousands of followers, I must market & introduce myself to a broad audience to sell my book. Disappointed but not deterred, I researched podcasting to connect with a greater audience. My head spun with all the feedback I received while creating My Cotton Patch Moment. But then everything changed with each episode. You, Dear Listener, including family, friends, tennis teammates, social media followers, and people I met along the way, responded more positively than I ever dreamed possible. And that is why this episode is my love letter to you! Thank you for taking this journey with me. My memoir: "Unbroken: My Journey of Defiance, Resilience, & Grace," is due out later this year. You can be the first to know when it is available by following me here. Honorable Mentions Crackers In Soup, LLC Write a Review for My Cotton Patch Moment 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 This podcast is hosted by Mildred J. Mills. Mildred writes raw and poignant stories describing monumental highs and devastating lows as she takes her reader and listener on a journey of laughter and tears. Mildred survived a childhood of picking cotton on her strict, domineering father’s farm and thrived in a male-dominant IT industry for forty years. Mildred recently completed her manuscript, a memoir, Unbroken: My Journey of Defiance, Resilience, & Grace". You can be the first one to know when it is available for purchase by following her here. 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 If you would love to connect with Mildred, join her in these following spaces: Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Twitter Have you been inspired by this Cotton Patch Moment? If so, Mildred encourages you to leave a review, comment, email and tell her about it! Also, share this episode with someone you love. You never know who needs to hear an inspiring word. The music and sound effects for this episode came from Epidemic Sound, Soundstripe and/or Pixabay. Crackers In Soup is the audio editor and producer for this episode.

From kids screaming in the grocery store to seeing them trying to get a fourth dessert at the cookout, on more than one occasion I have thought, "That child has no home training." But watching my children do things I know they were not raised to do or think, and remembering some of my questionable youth choices, changed my perspective on observing other children's behavior. There is more to this episode in my memoir: "Unbroken: My Journey of Defiance, Resilience, & Grace," due out later this year. You can be the first to know when it is available for by following me here. Honorable Mentions Perception and Play: How Children View the World Throwing It All Away: When Good Kids Make Bad Choices A Healthy Dose of Guilt 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 This podcast is hosted by Mildred J. Mills. Mildred writes raw and poignant stories describing monumental highs and devastating lows as she takes her reader and listener on a journey of laughter and tears. Mildred survived a childhood of picking cotton on her strict, domineering father’s farm and thrived in a male-dominant IT industry for forty years. Mildred recently completed her manuscript, a memoir, Unbroken: My Journey of Defiance, Resilience, & Grace". You can be the first one to know when it is available for purchase by following her here. 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 If you would love to connect with Mildred, join her in these following spaces: Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Twitter Have you been inspired by this Cotton Patch Moment? If so, Mildred encourages you to leave a review, comment, email and tell her about it! Also, share this episode with someone you love. You never know who needs to hear an inspiring word. The music and sound effects for this episode came from Epidemic Sound, Soundstripe and/or Pixabay. Crackers In Soup is the audio editor and producer for this episode.

Maya Angelou became inspired to write when she joined the Harlem Writers Guide in the late 1950s. My inspiration to write was somewhat similar. After signing up for a writing class to keep my mind sharp, I was challenged to write a short story about a life event. My story about domestic violence caught the eye of the teacher who asked me to speak with her after class one day. She encouraged me to keep writing. That class awakened a love in me for sharing my experiences through stories. "My Wall of Shame" may have been the first story I ever penned, but it would not be my last. There is more to this episode in my memoir: "Unbroken: My Journey of Defiance, Resilience, & Grace," due out later this year. You can be the first to know when it is available for by following me here. Honorable Mentions Writing Can Help Us Heal from Trauma How reading and writing can help survivors of domestic abuse Unique Challenges of Women Experiencing Homelessness How Love Letters Help Keep Your Love Alive 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 This podcast is hosted by Mildred J. Mills. Mildred writes raw and poignant stories describing monumental highs and devastating lows as she takes her reader and listener on a journey of laughter and tears. Mildred survived a childhood of picking cotton on her strict, domineering father’s farm and thrived in a male-dominant IT industry for forty years. Mildred recently completed her manuscript, a memoir, Unbroken: My Journey of Defiance, Resilience, & Grace". You can be the first one to know when it is available for purchase by following her here. 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 If you would love to connect with Mildred, join her in these following spaces: Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Twitter Have you been inspired by this Cotton Patch Moment? If so, Mildred encourages you to leave a review, comment, email and tell her about it! Also, share this episode with someone you love. You never know who needs to hear an inspiring word. The music and sound effects for this episode came from Epidemic Sound, Soundstripe and/or Pixabay. Crackers In Soup is the audio editor and producer for this episode.

I nurtured relatives, charities, and people asking for spare change for over forty years but denied myself. Beginning in my fifties, I focused on what brings me joy. I volunteered at a women’s shelter, a children’s hospital, and my son’s school. I threw myself a big birthday bash, enjoyed lunch with girlfriends, and traveled extensively. A missionary trip to Nairobi, Kenya, to visit orphanages at the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic is one of my greatest joys. There is more to this episode in my memoir: "Unbroken: My Journey of Defiance, Resilience, & Grace," due out later this year. You can be the first to know when it is available for by following me here. Honorable Mentions Mark 9:36-37 Sickle Cell Anemia Volunteering and its Surprising Benefits Bread of Life Oasis of Hope - Kenya 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 This podcast is hosted by Mildred J. Mills. Mildred writes raw and poignant stories describing monumental highs and devastating lows as she takes her reader and listener on a journey of laughter and tears. Mildred survived a childhood of picking cotton on her strict, domineering father’s farm and thrived in a male-dominant IT industry for forty years. Mildred recently completed her manuscript, a memoir, Unbroken: My Journey of Defiance, Resilience, & Grace". You can be the first one to know when it is available for purchase by following her here. 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 If you would love to connect with Mildred, join her in these following spaces: Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Twitter Have you been inspired by this Cotton Patch Moment? If so, Mildred encourages you to leave a review, comment, email and tell her about it! Also, share this episode with someone you love. You never know who needs to hear an inspiring word. The music and sound effects for this episode came from Epidemic Sound, Soundstripe and/or Pixabay. Crackers In Soup is the audio editor and producer for this episode.

My Daddy, Abraham Billups, was the first man I ever loved. I adored his flawless skin, self-assuredness, and unparalleled work ethic. But as a child growing up on his Alabama cotton field, I did not appreciate my father’s positive attributes. All I could see was his stormy temperament. There is more to this episode in my memoir: "Unbroken: My Journey of Defiance, Resilience, & Grace," due out later this year. You can be the first to know when it is available for by following me here. Honorable Mentions Brief History of America's Black Farmers from Past to Present Why Black Fathers Are Critical to Childrens’ Health Deacon Abraham Billups' Obituary 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 This podcast is hosted by Mildred J. Mills. Mildred writes raw and poignant stories describing monumental highs and devastating lows as she takes her reader and listener on a journey of laughter and tears. Mildred survived a childhood of picking cotton on her strict, domineering father’s farm and thrived in a male-dominant IT industry for forty years. Mildred recently completed her manuscript, a memoir, Unbroken: My Journey of Defiance, Resilience, & Grace". You can be the first one to know when it is available for purchase by following her here. 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 If you would love to connect with Mildred, join her in these following spaces: Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Twitter Have you been inspired by this Cotton Patch Moment? If so, Mildred encourages you to leave a review, comment, email and tell her about it! Also, share this episode with someone you love. You never know who needs to hear an inspiring word. The music and sound effects for this episode came from Epidemic Sound, Soundstripe and/or Pixabay. Crackers In Soup is the audio editor and producer for this episode.

When I left the cotton patch and my family to attend computer school, I never imagined the doors it would open. Doors like modeling, winning beauty pageants, and signing a recording contract! Doors I never dreamed of while staring at a pitch-black sky as I wished on stars in Wetumpka, Alabama. Honorable Mentions She Didn't Know (She Kept On Talking) by Dee Dee Warwick Dayton Daily News Wright State University 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 This podcast is hosted by Mildred J. Mills. Mildred writes raw and poignant stories describing monumental highs and devastating lows as she takes her reader and listener on a journey of laughter and tears. Mildred survived a childhood of picking cotton on her strict, domineering father’s farm and thrived in a male-dominant IT industry for forty years. Mildred recently completed her manuscript, a memoir, Unbroken: My Journey of Defiance, Resilience, & Grace". You can be the first one to know when it is available for purchase by following her here. 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 If you would love to connect with Mildred, join her in these following spaces: Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Twitter Have you been inspired by this Cotton Patch Moment? If so, Mildred encourages you to leave a review, comment, email and tell her about it! Also, share this episode with someone you love. You never know who needs to hear an inspiring word. The music and sound effects for this episode came from Epidemic Sound, Soundstripe and/or Pixabay. Crackers In Soup is the audio editor and producer for this episode.

I had been helping Mama cook since I was five, dashing between the kitchen and her bedroom, making culinary magic. Little did I know that in 10th grade, a cooking and sewing challenge would change the trajectory my life and send me to Hollywood! Honorable Mentions Mamaw's Chicken and Rice Casserole Future Homemakers of America The 5th Dimension - Up, Up and Away (Official Audio) 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 This podcast is hosted by Mildred J. Mills. Mildred writes raw and poignant stories describing monumental highs and devastating lows as she takes her reader and listener on a journey of laughter and tears. Mildred survived a childhood of picking cotton on her strict, domineering father’s farm and thrived in a male-dominant IT industry for forty years. Mildred recently completed her manuscript, a memoir, Unbroken: My Journey of Defiance, Resilience, & Grace". You can be the first one to know when it is available for purchase by following her here. 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 If you would love to connect with Mildred, join her in these following spaces: Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Twitter Have you been inspired by this Cotton Patch Moment? If so, Mildred encourages you to leave a review, comment, email and tell her about it! Also, share this episode with someone you love. You never know who needs to hear an inspiring word. The music and sound effects for this episode came from Epidemic Sound, Soundstripe and/or Pixabay. Crackers In Soup is the audio editor and producer for this episode.

With Mother's Day fast approaching, I thought it was a perfect time to dedicate an entire episode to my mother, Mildred J. Billups - the most talented story teller I have ever known. If you have a parent still with you, please talk to them about their life. Ask them questions. You never know how long they will be with you. Happy Mother's Day, Mama. I miss and love you. Honorable Mentions History of Mother's Day The Power of Sharing Our Families Stories A Look Into 1940s Weddings Generational Ties: Understanding Black Mothers and Their Adult Children 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 This podcast is hosted by Mildred J. Mills. Mildred writes raw and poignant stories describing monumental highs and devastating lows as she takes her reader and listener on a journey of laughter and tears. Mildred survived a childhood of picking cotton on her strict, domineering father’s farm and thrived in a male-dominant IT industry for forty years. Mildred recently completed her manuscript, a memoir, Unbroken: My Journey of Defiance, Resilience, & Grace". You can be the first one to know when it is available for purchase by following her here. 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 If you would love to connect with Mildred, join her in these following spaces: Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Twitter Have you been inspired by this Cotton Patch Moment? If so, Mildred encourages you to leave a review, comment, email and tell her about it! Also, share this episode with someone you love. You never know who needs to hear an inspiring word. The music and sound effects for this episode came from Epidemic Sound, Soundstripe and/or Pixabay. Crackers In Soup is the audio editor and producer for this episode.

My loss journey began at a young age with my infant sister's passing. I was seven years old, sad, and frightened. Yet, through years of losing close loved ones, I have accepted death as a natural part of life; I cherish the precious moments allotted to me with those I've lost. And, though nothing or no one can fill their void, I am at peace as I journey on, carrying their memories as a source of comfort and strength. Honorable Mentions Precious Lord, Take My Hand by Thomas Dorsey The Lord's Prayer by Andrea Bocelli James 5:16: Healing will follow; sins will be forgiven Summer Marie Thompson 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 This podcast is hosted by Mildred J. Mills. Mildred writes raw and poignant stories describing monumental highs and devastating lows as she takes her reader and listener on a journey of laughter and tears. Mildred survived a childhood of picking cotton on her strict, domineering father’s farm and thrived in a male-dominant IT industry for forty years. Mildred recently completed her manuscript, a memoir, Unbroken: My Journey of Defiance, Resilience, & Grace". You can be the first one to know when it is available for purchase by following her here. 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 If you would love to connect with Mildred, join her in these following spaces: Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Twitter Have you been inspired by this Cotton Patch Moment? If so, Mildred encourages you to leave a review, comment, email and tell her about it! Also, share this episode with someone you love. You never know who needs to hear an inspiring word. The music and sound effects for this episode came from Epidemic Sound, Soundstripe and/or Pixabay. Crackers In Soup is the audio editor and producer for this episode.

Have you ever found love in an unexpected place? Was it after you decided that relationships weren't worth it? That happened to me after a man I had hoped to spend the rest of my life with told me he wanted "no strings attached." I pulled the dagger from my heart, walked out of his life, and swore off all men. But a new career in a new city led me to someone who, with one heartfelt question, changed my life forever. Honorable Mentions Maya Angelou How Do You Keep the Music Playing by James Ingram and Patti Austin’s You Are the Love of My Life by George Benson and Roberta Flack Look What You've Done to Me by Boz Scaggs 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 This podcast is hosted by Mildred J. Mills. Mildred writes raw and poignant stories describing monumental highs and devastating lows as she takes her reader and listener on a journey of laughter and tears. Mildred survived a childhood of picking cotton on her strict, domineering father’s farm and thrived in a male-dominant IT industry for forty years. Mildred recently completed her manuscript, a memoir, Unbroken: My Journey of Defiance, Resilience, & Grace". You can be the first one to know when it is available for purchase by following her here. 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 If you would love to connect with Mildred, join her in these following spaces: Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Twitter Have you been inspired by this Cotton Patch Moment? If so, Mildred encourages you to leave a review, comment, email and tell her about it! Also, share this episode with someone you love. You never know who needs to hear an inspiring word. The music and sound effects for this episode came from Epidemic Sound, Soundstripe and/or Pixabay. Crackers In Soup is the audio editor and producer for this episode.