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pumpkin45 submitted a contest entry to
Write A Letter To A Place That Changed You 4 weeks agoA place that holds your story
JoVonneFirst, life and death lays in childbearing, some hard choices must be decided. Secondly, I thought about how disappointed I had been all through this pregnancy had even contemplating ending the pregnancy. Now, right now his life or my life stands in the ballot. It was at this time I thought I should have been grateful. I knew this marriage was coming to an end and I didn’t want to bring another child into the mix. I guess I felt like I was between a rock and hard place. It was the spring of 1991 around 7:00 am and I woke up to discomfort. I told my then husband I don’t feel right, let’s go to the hospital.
Once there, of course, vitals are checked, then told I was in labor, however, I had not dilated enough. Mrs. Lane you need to start walking around in the hallway (I thank God I was not sent home). As I begin to walk pain I mean excruciating pain, pain that I didn’t experience with my other two children. My ex then told the nurse. I was hooked on a monitor for a while then I was told to walk again in the hallway. I tried to do what I was asked but again intense pain engulfed me. This time I cried no; no, it hurts so bad. Again, he went to the nurses’ station this time his tone was not as nice “something is wrong with her” immediately a monitor was placed over my stomach; blood pressure machine wrapped around my arm. As I lay in bed, I was closelyevaluated. One nurse left and when she returned, she was accompanied by a doctor. The doctor examined me and looked closely at the readings then told me and my ex what was going to happen. The baby is in distress and the heartbeat continues to decline as you walk, we will have to deliver by cesarean. No, I protested but due to the nature of my condition this was the only way. My ex was called outside of the room and given some papers to sign. The papers consist of content detailing if the surgery would go array. He came back into the room with a stare of fright in his eyes and told me what was proposed then asked what I should do. He was told that they would save the baby at all costs. I said so to hell with me just sign the documents. The preparation was done and at 11:45 am he was cut out of me; 7 lbs. and 15 ounces. This curly head handsome little boy. Looking at him and knowing that he was healthy I could’ve prayed for anything more what I dealt with early on in the pregnancy didn’t compare to my emotions at the time when I first saw.Voting starts July 26, 2025 12:00am
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pumpkin45 submitted a contest entry to
Write a poem or letter about one way you feel misunderstood 2 months, 4 weeks agoThe Way I feel Misunderstood
JoVonneDear World:
Why did you want me to stay in a box? Why did you say to me repeatedly that I was not afraid of you? Afraid of what just because we don’t agree on the same things, we don’t carry ourselves in the same manner, we weren’t raised alike my parents raised me and your parents raised you. You think I have an answer for all things and yet you feel that I don’t always need to respond. Let me say this I am me; I stand up for me, I protect me, sorry I am not passive, sorry I am not timid. You sometimes can knock me off my feet, have me spinning around what did I say this time, or should I have said it the way you preferred, no, no, I can’t we just agree to disagree. If not then I know I will fight you tooth and nail, not physically, not even verbally if you take me their pure silence will come over me. If we can talk and laugh on occasion than we should be able to meet each other in the middle.
I just want to me, and if I had to stand for you or with you it would be unbearable, because you continue to try to break me down, degrade or slander my character. How would you ever see the beautiful flower that I have become, the great creation that was molded. World we have no need to misunderstand each other if respect is put on our names, colorism, and racism erased a real fair share in the piece of this huge pie.
I am tired of fighting, let’s find a better way. How can we come up with a mutual understanding ceasing the misunderstanding? Looking forward to a more productive way, and positive outlook. Let us remove the negative aggression not you just wanting to point the finger at me all the time. Nope, if that is the case being misunderstood is who I will forever be, I MUST STAND FOR ME!Thank you,
JoVonne
3/21/2025Voting is open!
Voting ends June 23, 2025 11:59pm
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JoVonne, we don’t owe any of our time to those who want to make us seem smaller or fit into a mold. I love what you said about finding a productive and positive way to coexist with those around us without giving up who we are. Thank you for sharing your experience and inspiring me!
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pumpkin45 shared a letter in the
Current Events group 4 months, 3 weeks agoIt's only Me
JoVonneSometimes my smile may appear a little crooked
Sometimes my face may have a blank stare
Sometimes my words can be misplaced
I am who I am that’s a person
I’ve been through a little something and I’ve come
Out of a little something
I’ve been made ashamed, beaten, cussed, and even blamed. I am who I am that’s a person
My walj isn’t so quick, and my reactions can be a little to strong. I am who I am that’s a person
Life is just what the phrase says a journey to hell and back.
Right now, I am on the right
So love me if you want
Hug and kiss me if you want
But never pass judgement upon me, hey I am just a person.-
JoVonne, you are so right to discourage judging others when we are all just people ourselves. Everyone makes mistakes, everyone has bad days, and everyone could use a little grace. At the end of the day, we are all human and deserve compassion and understanding. Thank you for sharing this poem!
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pumpkin45 responded to a letter in topic Write a letter to your younger self about a challenge you faced as a child but have since overcome 4 months, 3 weeks ago
Blue, you will remember the joy you have the world didn’t give it and the world can’t take it away.
Stand strong Blue.🥰🫠🫠 -
pumpkin45 responded to a letter in topic Write a letter to your younger self about a challenge you faced as a child but have since overcome 4 months, 3 weeks ago
I saw saw me in you. I am so proud of you. Lady you are strong and powerful continue to inspire.
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pumpkin45 responded to a letter in topic Write a letter to your younger self about a challenge you faced as a child but have since overcome 4 months, 3 weeks ago
You fit in everywhere. You are a shinning star. Stay the course.
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pumpkin45 responded to a letter in topic Write a letter to your younger self about a challenge you faced as a child but have since overcome 4 months, 3 weeks ago
To be young gifted and black. You know who you are now continue to walk in yourself worth. Diamonds and pearls
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pumpkin45 responded to a letter in topic Write a letter to your younger self about a challenge you faced as a child but have since overcome 4 months, 3 weeks ago
You will always be enough. You have been through after hearing last night the fighter has won.
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pumpkin45 responded to a letter in topic Write a letter to your younger self about a challenge you faced as a child but have since overcome 4 months, 3 weeks ago
Hi, winner you are a winner. As I listened to you last night chills engulf me. Keep winning.
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pumpkin45 responded to a letter in topic Write a letter to your younger self about a challenge you faced as a child but have since overcome 4 months, 3 weeks ago
Beautiful you continue to love on you.
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pumpkin45 responded to a letter in topic Write a letter to your younger self about a challenge you faced as a child but have since overcome 4 months, 3 weeks ago
Hi Blue me and you we took the road, and we are still standing. Stand Blue you continue to stand strong.
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How amazing that age 15 was a year of darkness and transformation for the both of us. I hope I can be as joyful as you are when I’m 65!
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Blue, you will remember the joy you have the world didn’t give it and the world can’t take it away.
Stand strong Blue.🥰🫠🫠
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pumpkin45 responded to a letter in topic Write a letter to your younger self about a challenge you faced as a child but have since overcome 4 months, 3 weeks ago
Nana, I could relate to this piece. You and your sister keep soaring.
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pumpkin45 responded to a letter in topic Write a letter to your younger self about a challenge you faced as a child but have since overcome 4 months, 3 weeks ago
You brave lady, you got this depression will not hold you down. Keep shining
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pumpkin45 responded to a letter in topic Write a letter to your younger self about a challenge you faced as a child but have since overcome 4 months, 3 weeks ago
You are so loving, congratulations on your marriage. Someone saw the handsome you.
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pumpkin45 responded to a letter in topic Write a letter to your younger self about a challenge you faced as a child but have since overcome 4 months, 3 weeks ago
Mars you are Awesome. I told you, you shining keep that light and watch others follow.
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pumpkin45 responded to a letter in topic Write a letter to your younger self about a challenge you faced as a child but have since overcome 4 months, 3 weeks ago
Mars thank you. We are all here to lift and encourage each through our trials and tribulations. One person story can shine through another person’s heart.
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pumpkin45 submitted a contest entry to
Write a poem about your goals for 2025 5 months agoGoal 2025
JoVonneWhat GOAL! A goal to succeed a goal to believe, a goal to achieve. Nope not me. However, I do hope and wish for happiness something that death stole from me. If only now I can become a kid again running, jumping, and skipping all over the place.
For the previous years has been dampen and has left me so depressed, I can’t think of a goal only just happiness.
Why look at me funny or stare me down I just want to be happy spinning around and around.
Life can be so amazing then just like that you are caught up in a trap, asking yourself can I get back?
Nope no goal for me happiness is what I seek.
How about money, fortune, and fame if I can’t be happy these attributes will not mean the same.
I want the hole in my heart to close, I want the tears to cease no longer roll, I want laughter that tickles my very soul. I want the joy that comes from within to find me again. Then maybe I will set my eyes upon a goal, writing the best story ever told watch it, watch it unfold becoming like Maya Angelou the lady was solid gold.
For now, my goal is imagining myself in a pool of clowns, one pulling the other tugging everybody’s joking around. I don’t want life ups and downs, but reality is to live is to experience the hardship that goes around. Happiness, joy, laughter, kindness, and love is what I thrive. The goal right now is for me to find me, for my mind needs to be set free and peace to engulf all of me.Voting is closed
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JoVonne, the idea of simply finding happiness in 2025 is one that I can definitely get behind. Setting goals can be exhausting and leave you falling short. By simply seeking happiness, we are much more likely to find success. I hope you can find yourself and your happiness this year. Thank you for sharing!
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pumpkin45 submitted a contest entry to
Write a letter to your younger self about a. challenge you faced as a child but have since overcome 7 months, 2 weeks agoFifteen
JoVonneNever would I say I was bad, but mischievousness could get in the way.
A scrambled brain teenager; put me in a skillet
I was burning out of control.
Fifteen years old and I was ready to go, not to a dance; not to school,
or a planned activity.
You see I wanted to end it all for me.
What was on my mind that day?
In that apartment I sat silently – by myself.
My thoughts overwhelming, refusing to leave me alone.
I walked into the bathroom looked into the mirror, and only
saw disappointment – a young girl’s failure
Who could I make proud, who would believe in me?
Hands shaking, lips quivering I opened the cabinet door.
I saw pills, and pills galore
This is the end; I can’t take much more.
Life at that time was mean; I no longer wanted to be seen.
Yet, I was only fifteen
What was on my mind that day?
I vaguely, remember; only that my stomach was so sore.
Please stop pushing, push me no more!
God didn’t take me
Life tried to break me, confusion had me twisted as a pretzel
and imagining my family would be better off without me.
I knew that they loved me.
Whatever the reason I wasn’t standing on solid ground
I was trapped in a mudslide I was going down.
The confidence, the strength and the power you see today
it comes from that fifteen-year-old teenager who almost gave life away.Voting is closed
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JoVonne, this is such a powerful look into the torment you experienced at such a young age. It hurts my heart that you were going through so much that you contemplated ending your life when you should have been excited about what the future might hold. Though I hate you went through it, I am glad that it made you stronger today! Thank you for…read more
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What a wonderfully written piece. Thank you for sharing with us. I’m so glad you are still here. Thank you for you. *hugs* if that is okay.
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Mars thank you. We are all here to lift and encourage each through our trials and tribulations. One person story can shine through another person’s heart.
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