My Mama Said by Kookie Maffett

I wanted to write a book about the Hiraeth I feel about my mother. It feels like a second detachment of an umbilical cord was removed when I lost her. As a younger girl, I would write all my thoughts down, until I reached adulthood. Then other life changes took priority, and I stopped. After my mother’s passing, I found many stacks of notebooks filled with written poetry, everyday thoughts, recipes, and historical writings that she had left behind. Being so surprised to find this not knowing she wrote as well gave me a profound sense of comfort and helped with my healing process. This led me full circle back to writing. Her matronly wisdom came rushing back to me. Whispers I had carried in memory without even knowing. This book is for those who have lost their mother, or perhaps have never experienced the blessing of having a loving one. It entails proper, relevant advice and common quotes. My mother was the kind of mother that storybooks talk about. She loved so tightly, with patience and faith. Now, as a mother myself, I understand what it feels like to love indestructibly. My Mama Said is a love letter written in grief, gratitude, and healing. Mothers are in a leadership role until the end of time. I’ve been working on this for two years following my mother’s passing. As I’ve gotten older, I started to remember all the teachings I was given as a child. When life decides to put you on a different path with a blink of sadness, you start to reminisce about the happy times. The recovery started taking place and I recalled all her words like a rolodex in my mind. “I know now all the things you taught me.” Coping with grief is the catalyst for me debuting my first book, My Mama Said. Writing has always been one of my passions and my rehabilitation.