Every Family Story Holds Meaning
Unraveling echoes of my past often begins with a single heartfelt question. My journey to discover who I am strengthens the bond between generations, reminding me that even the faintest details of my family’s story deserve to be cherished and preserved for those who follow.
Upcoming Book
Unraveling Echoes
My mother was simply given away as a toddler—not adopted, just given away. One day the pain of her longing to know her own name, her mother and why she was given away, was more than she could bear. I walked in on her crying. Attempting to soothe her, I hugged her as tight as I could and I promised to find answers to her questions to stop her tears. Madear looked up at me and said, earnestly, “you know you can and if anybody will, it’s you.” At the time, I didn’t think about what my words meant to her nor what hers would someday come to mean to me. After all, Madear knew absolutely nothing about herself—name, birthdate, birthplace, parents’ names, nothing. There wasn’t even a place to start. Find what? From whom, from where? She did stop crying and that’s what I was after. That was the end of it. I thought. Fast forward a few years and the promise I made to my mother long ago began to haunt me in more ways than one. I have learned that destiny is haunting and will show up and stay until you shake hands with it, satisfy it. That promise became a mission and I began my journey of trying to fulfill my promise to Madear. At the same time wondering why I was even trying since I had nothing real because she never had any information about herself. Long story short, I spent lots of time, money and emotion trying, unsuccessfully, for years. Then on a mission to do something else down in Jackson, MS, there I was lead right to an angel that God had waiting to show me that all the years of work, disappointments and feelings of hopelessness was just what happens on the way to beautiful answers for the most beautiful, soul I will ever know. I must tell you all about it, share the joys and sorrow and, finally, the triumph of it all. Hopefully, I inspire you to find the courage to tackle that dream you think can’t come true and send you to work toward your answers. Sharing this book with you is my posthumous love letter to the best person ever in my life, my mother. I learned every important thing in life watching you Madear and I am so grateful that you could always see me. Unraveling Echoes: Finding My Mother’s Identity is for you, Madear. I always thank you, love on you and pray your new life is overflowing with the love of parents who cared and protected you like you did us. I have asked God a million times to grant you all goodness in your new life.
About the Book
Unraveling Echoes: Finding My Mother’s Identity is a deeply personal journey of love, loss, and discovery. After her mother, Madear, was given away as a toddler with no knowledge of her birth name, family, or history, the author made a heartfelt promise to uncover the truth. What began as a simple vow to ease her mother’s pain turned into a years-long mission filled with obstacles, dead ends, and heartache. But with determination and faith, the author was led to an unexpected angel who helped uncover the truth that had been hidden for so long.
This memoir is not just about solving a mystery—it’s a tribute to a mother’s unspoken longing and a testament to perseverance. Through this book, the author shares the triumphs, sorrows, and the healing power of uncovering a lost identity, offering a posthumous love letter to her beloved Madear.
The Promise to my Mother
I’ve always loved words—reading, listening, singing. I’m endlessly grateful to those who wrote their stories down, preserving their lives for future generations. Through their words, I’ve walked back in time, whether they lived 2000 or 200 years ago. A poem by Victor Hugo, “God Is Awake,” came to me during one of the darkest periods of my life. The power of words and writers left a lasting impact on me, and I give thanks for them, always.
For years, I didn’t consider writing a book. In the 1980s, I self-published a sourcebook for needle artists, but nothing serious. Then, a promise I made to my mother began to haunt me. I had promised her, as she cried, that I would uncover the truth about her identity—her name, birthdate, and family, which she had never known. I didn’t think it was a promise I could fulfill, but it became a mission that consumed me for years.
After countless disappointments and struggles, I was led to an unexpected angel who helped me uncover the truth, revealing beautiful answers after all the years of work. In Unraveling Echoes: Finding My Mother’s Lost Identity, I share the joys, sorrows, and triumphs of this journey. I hope it inspires you to pursue the dreams that seem impossible, guided by the angels in your life.
Benefits of Legacy Publishing
Authenticity
Every memoir from my publishing work springs from genuine experience, honoring the complex, beautiful realities of my family’s history. Readers encounter stories that are thoughtfully researched, honestly told, and deeply personal—bridging the distance between my past and present with heartfelt accuracy. Authenticity remains the heartbeat of every narrative I create.
Inspiration
My storytelling is guided by a spirit of hope, faith, and perseverance. Many of my journeys begin in uncertainty, yet with patience and trust, even the most elusive family stories reveal unexpected grace. My work is meant not just to inform, but to uplift and encourage others embarking on their own quests for understanding.
Preservation
I safeguard legacies for tomorrow through comprehensive offerings, from beautifully printed memoirs to accessible audiobooks. Each project I create is made with the future in mind, ensuring that my family’s heritage, once preserved, becomes an enduring resource for those who wish to know where they came from.
Get to Know Me
My mother's silent longing traced the outline of my life's calling. Given away as a toddler and left without a name or known birthday, she grew up navigating a world of unanswered questions. One day, I made a promise - carelessly at first - that I would someday find her story. Years of research, dead ends, and miraculous discoveries followed, turning that promise into a mission. Through faith and occasional doubt, I learned that even in the face of uncertainty, starting is what matters most. That personal journey inspired me to create Carikean Publishing, believing that every family deserves a chance to gather their stories and pass them on. Today, I guide others with the same patience and respect I needed myself, helping each person see the value of their journey and the power their memories hold.
