Beacons, Prayers, and Processes

About the Book

This book of poems began evolving after a year of laughter and tears; of letters, poems, phone calls, and talks; of deep introspections and doubts; prayers, prayers, and prayers - all of which were sewn together by God as the beginning of a patchwork quilt of healing. It was the same year I made the decision to face the demons from a youth marred by years of sexual abuse.

In 2002, I began working with a wonderful, firm, compassionate, Christian therapist who carefully organized the tools through which God crafted the pathways of my healing. It is during this time that the bulk of these poems were written. Rarely did I know where the pen would take me once I placed it on the paper but the insights I received taught me to follow my instincts each time a line or two would start nagging at me and I would quickly grab both pen and paper less I lose the opportunity to capture the moment.

The book is divided into six sections which are designed to share the following stages of my personal healing in hopes it will help others find their own pathway to healing no matter their source of pain: 1. God & Process; 2. Children; 3. Self-Revelation & Fears; 4. Confusion & Grieving; 5. Pandora's Box; 6. Healing. While the subtitles are not noted that way, they are underlying themes. Every reader will find something in this book to assist in the search for peace.

About the Author

Janice Brown Holland is a native of Suffolk, Virginia. She is a retired educator having served a combined thirty-three years as a teacher of high school mathematics, a high school assistant principal, an elementary principal, and an assistant superintendent for administrative services, all in Suffolk Public Schools. She has been a member of the Alpha Theta chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, an organization for outstanding women educators, since 1980.

Janice is a member of Bethlehem Christian Church where she is serving her second term as deaconess. She is currently working towards certification as a Christian counselor which she will use to enhance her work in women's ministries.

Janice is also an active member of the Nansemond River Pilot Club, SIS (Sisters in Service) Williamsburg, and is on the Board of Drectors for H-E-A-R-T, (Hope Exists After Rape Trauma). She recently opened a chapter in Suffolk, H-E-A-R-T of Suffolk, Inc.

Janice and her husband, Aubrey have been married 33 years. They have one daughter, Cindy, who teaches second grade. Cindy's husband, David, teaches physical education.