Social media has taken over and is the driving force on how many of us live our lives. The faces and the success you see are often imaginary and the sadness and turmoil you see are often exaggerated. When you truly get to know a person, the face that you've been used to is often not the one that you remember. Photoshop and catfish pages are often a way of hiding Flaws. You can always look different on the outside than you do on the inside. Join me as I let you get to know the real Anna Gill. Anna is a young lady who grew up in the impoverished projects of East St. Louis, Il. With a front row seat to her mom's constant spousal abuse, Anna learned to grow a thick skin, and a strong attraction to making men weak to her prowess. Anna is surrounded by family that loves her. Raised by her Grandmother, Anna was always taught the right way. But growing up in her neighborhood, it was very obvious that her street knowledge would always compete with the God fearing knowledge forced upon her by her Grandmother. Anna was not only subjected to an abusive father, she also had examples of great men in her life. Men who knew how to love, and provide support to their families. Men who would do anything to protect their family. Even when the person they are loving is not cooperating and taking things for granted. Anna's storm wasn't just a mild rain or a snowy day. Anna's life started with a tropical depression and made its way up to a category 5 Hurricane. Step inside her shoes, but be careful, put one on at a time. You will walk through molestation, sexual harassment, and gang activity, love, power, control, and finding her soul mate in a place that wasn't comfortable. Anna's story, where it may be fiction, is one that is happening to our young teens on a daily basis. Sometimes we don't think they see. Often we forget what they are taught when they walk out the door. You must ask yourself, especially as a parent, how is your life affecting the future of your children. Anna's storm is mild compared to others. I hope you enjoy seeing the eye of Anna's storm. I look forward to sharing with you the other side of her rainbow.
About the Author: Fred M. Jordan IV was born in East St. Louis, Il. Growing up he watched several of his friends get involved in gang activity, teen age pregnancy, and prison. At the age of 5, his mother was diagnosed with being manic depressive. He would be raised by his grandmother, but grow an amazing relationship with his father. All of the men in his life were strong. From Uncle's down to cousins. The women in his life would all prove to be strong and support him throughout his life. He would start being a leader at an early age. He always had a love for sports, but his love and talent never matched levels. At an early age Fred start being the manager/trainer on the team. He could teach it better than he could play it. Fred went on to flourish as a manager in the restaurant business. In his early 20's he started a family. He is currently raising 4 beautiful daughters' and with his wife of over 20 years. Fred's father passed away in April of 2005. Prior to his death, he wrote a book, but passed before being able to publish it. In 2014 he lost his mother. Lil Fred always had a passion for writing. From Poetry, to finishing his dad's book, he was no stranger to a pen. His journey through his childhood, and his experience of raising a family at a fairly young age, has given him plenty of vision and motivation to share what he's learned. It is important to him that his work evoke thought and desire to make a difference. One of the things that constantly stays on his mind was the time he called Fred III, and cried over receiving a rejection from weekly reader to post his story. Devastated, Fred IV felt his life was over. But Fred III, couldn't have been more proud. The fact that Fred IV took it upon himself to 1. Write a story, 2. Buy a stamp and mail it to weekly reader, was all that he needed to know about "his boy". This book and all to come are dedicated to Fred M. Jordan III. Fred IV feels that he could never do all the deserved justice to his father's name, but he knows that his father would be good with him coming close to it. Here is Fred IV's adult weekly reader submission.