A Memoir Book Launch & Grief During the Holidays

Poet Laureate of The Write Women Book Fest Aressa V. Williams and her team of family and supporters hosted a joyous book launch event this past Saturday upstairs at the South Bowie Branch of the Prince George's County Memorial System. The poet, educator, author charmed and advised us through sharing anecdotes about her life and reading from In Deanwood.

[Advance Reader Copy of In Deanwood, A Memoir by Aressa V. Williams arranged under a Heal Write Away business card, 3 thank you ornaments: a snowman, a card catalog entry shaped like a star, and bookshelves shaped like a heart]

[a framed sketch of the house at 5000 Sheriff Road where the author grew up, a paperback copy of In Deanwood, and a framed black & white photo of the author]

[a full-color banner of Pancakes & Chocolate Milk, Prose and Poetry by Aressa V. Williams arranged on a table with clear vases filled with Christmas ornaments at each top corner of the banner]

Thanksgiving is over and it's officially the Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Festivus winter season of rejoicing. Our family just lost a loved one while we're savoring every moment with another family member who's fading fast. Feelings of tremendous gratitude for decades of love, laughter, and stories and wisdom shared fill me even as grief undercuts some of the joy and appreciation.

[a table with bunches of floral bouquets: roses, lilies, poinsettias]

This is likely my last blog post of 2025.

Always wishing you good health, peaces of mind, safety & joy

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