Description

This book is autobiographical in concept, as the author has had many experiences in life, in addition to his bouts with cancer and his subsequent survival. As the author brings his story to you in this book, his attempt is to present things in a sequence that explain them in the order of importance in his life. The author's life was riddled with ups and downs from inception, because of the absence of his father and mother, but the best thing that happens to him is that he was raised by his loving and caring grandmother, Mandy. Although many of the situations and experiences he faced existed in his life in Alabama in 1930s, they still exist in African American families and their communities today. As a result, Matt has a keen sense of the value of education, which he learned from his grandmother Mandy and other life experiences during the time he lived in Alabama. Matt's years as a child growing up in rural Alabama during 1930s-50s, at best was turbulent times for young African American boys, yet he rode horses with his "white friend", "J", a White kid that lived nearby at the time. Because of Matt's faith, taught to him by his grandmother Mandy, he was not afraid to take chances and try new things. At age 19 Matt went to work in Pensacola, Florida. Later that same year, he bought a 1939, pretty green Chevy. Matt was never deterred by life decisions, and still believes it is his faith that has brought him through many ordeals in his life. He has stepped out on "faith", and prevailed in turning what would have toppled the average big city kid; but not Matt, he turns negatives into positives, and perseveres as he gets up again, and again.