The Engraved Palm
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The Talk and Facts
Growing up these past years I found out things that I was too young to understand before. I have to say it was a bit confusing to me at first as Mama, Auntie, and Big Ma began talking to me about how I must do things in my life because I am of mixed heritage, and a person of color. I must do the things they teach me, so I will not have problems in life, especially when I have my own family someday. I have also been taught, that it is my responsibility to teach all the younger children in the family what I am learning. The younger children will do the same with their children that come after them. Everybody adheres to these rules in my family, it is known as the safe way. It is important to know and pass these guidelines down with each new family member. The safe way of doing things are the lessons in life to protect myself, and our family from harm and danger when we are away from home. No matter what we are doing outside the home, we must do it in a way where we do not draw attention to ourselves. We must try to avoid asking anyone for help if we can. That prevents interfacing with others unnecessarily, which will prevent others from asking us questions. Most of the time when people ask us questions, if we do not have the right answer for them, our elders say it could cause critical situations that can affect our family's safety and lif
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About the Book
In the summer of 1926, Colleen Spencer is a young girl of mixed heritage living in Senoia, Georgia. The elder women in her family have always taught Colleen to follow certain rules to avoid attention and perhaps even attack in the American Deep South. Despite moments of fear, her life is a happy one, but with maturity, so too come obstacles and distress.
Proud of her mixed heritage, Colleen finds that God, family, and her own insights are some of the best anchors she implements as she tries to survive. She remembers the song Big Ma wrote about being engraved on God’s palm. He loves Colleen so much that He will never leave her nor forget about her, no matter what happens.
Still, the Spencer family struggles in a culture that would shun them, surrounded by people who might hurt them, all while clinging to their Christian values in an antiquated time of racial dissention.
About the Author
Anne Colbert is retired and lives with her husband of thirty-five years in South Carolina. Anne was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, the youngest of seven children. The mother of one son, two daughters, and nine grandchildren, Anne has learned the importance of relying on God.