By M. Ann Machen Pritchard
If there’s one quality we as African Americans possess, it’s resilience. Our history bears testimony to that, even unto the present day. And rooted in that resilience is faith.
Today marks a milestone for me as book review editor for Insight News—this is my 100th review, and the journey has been amazing. I am both humbled and grateful, via my column and as co-host for the Guest Author segment of The Conversation With Al McFarlane, to provide a vehicle for Black authors and poets to share their works. Thank you, Al!
That being said, in honor of the occasion, I present to you M. Ann Machen Pritchard’s The Spirit of Sixteen.
My previous reviews of Pritchard’s works have been primarily focused on children. This story takes a different turn; it is an autobiography of Ms. Gloria Ann Freely, a Baby Boomer born in rural Kentucky. The third of four surviving children, Gloria’s parents are a loved and respected Christian family in the Black community, with her father being a Baptist minister.
Growing up had more than its share of challenges for Gloria Ann. At the age of five, she was molested by an older boy, leaving her with the scars of guilt and shame, afraid to talk to anyone about it. She became shy and introverted as she grew older; at school, she was easy prey for the bullies and the Mean Girls. Life was teaching her not to trust anyone.
However, that didn’t stop her parents from teaching her about self-respect as a woman and the Spirit of Sixteen: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16, King James Version)
That scripture, coupled with her reliance on God, would remain with Gloria Ann throughout her life, through her successes, to overcoming her fears, and through the darkest days of her life from intimate partner violence as a young woman.
I am familiar with the saying, “If God can take you to it, He’ll take you through it.” Pritchard’s story, which is based on a true story, bears this out. Gloria Ann’s faith is seriously put to the test in her life experiences, and it was inspiring to see her grow stronger from within and value herself, knowing that through it all, God had her back. In Pritchard’s words, “With faith in God you can get through anything.”
In addition to illustrating her book, Pritchard has included beautiful songs and poems at the end of the story.
The Spirit of Sixteen is available through Amazon, Minnesota Black Authors Expo (www.mnblackauthorsexpo.com), and MAMP Creations (www.mampcreations.com).
Thank you, Ann, for sharing this story, for reminding us to look for what God is teaching us through our struggles in life, and how our stories can help others. If we don’t share them, who will?
W.D. Foster-Graham
W.D. Foster-Graham is a native son of Minneapolis, Minnesota. He received a B.A. in psychology from Luther College, and he was an original member of the multi-Grammy-Award-winning ensemble, Sounds of Blackness. He has also been recognized by the International Society of Poets as one of its “Best New Poets of 2003,” is a guest writer for journalist/author/entertainer Wyatt O’Brian Evans.
