I do not know where or who is my earthly father, but I do know that my heavenly Father is always there with me.
Ernest Gaines, a sixth-generation sharecropper born in Louisiana in the 1950s, recalls a forgotten way of life in this memoir focusing on his boyhood and adolescence.
Growing up, he had few if any toys, but he had lots of fun running, hiding, and laughing with his friends while old people chatted in church. They wanted to be left alone, but they would give the youngsters peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, watermelon, and popcorn balls.
When he was seven or eight years old, his father would take him to the Quarters, give him a sack, and tell him to pick cotton. Every day, his father would fuss after he failed to fill the sack.
When his father asked him to do something, he went ahead and did it-he knew that is what he was supposed to do. Life was hard, but each moment made him stronger, which became helpful when he moved to California.
In this memoir, the author recalls the struggles he and his family faced and expresses his thanks for those that taught him to be a man-even if they didn't make it easy.
About the Author: Ernest Gaines is a six generation Share Cropper born March 10, 1954, in Oscar, Louisiana. Ernest moved to California in 1969 where he met his wife of 42 years (Lorraine), they have four children, 10 grand- children, and 3 great grandchildren. Ernest is retired from Napa Valley College.
He gave his life to Christ and has worked faithfully in the ministry ever since July 3, 1998. Ernest received his Certification of Ordination as a Deacon in 1998 from Liberty Missionary Baptist Church Vallejo, California and had worked in the ministry ever since.
Ernest was called to the office of ministry to become a license Minister January 17, 2016, from Church of The Living God Vallejo, California and he continues to work in His Kingdom at Hillside Church Gulfport, Mississippi under the leadership of Dr. Travis Anderson; and lead people to Christ.
God has called me to be a faithful worker and be committed to His Word.
