I was raised in Uganda where storytelling was part of the way information or value was transmitted from one generation to another.  As a child, it was the norm after the days labor and after winding down at sunset, or simply, under the bright light of the moon by a crackling fireplace to sit and listen to stories told by the older generation.

Stories were not told for the sake of it, but rather, were told as a way of entertaining, sharing and more importantly, passing on a way of living well or some wisdom in the community from one generation to another, offering the tools to a richer, beautiful and meaningful life. 

Having found so much value in this way of reaching out, how it impacted my way of living and thought process and actions, I wanted to bring this experience and make it alive in my life, passing on the same wisdom and tradition to my daughter and even as a single mother, bringing this experience and value to those around me who were excited to take a glimpse into the unique way of living, teaching and encouraging them in the appreciation and comprehension of the world around, and cultivating determination, honesty and connection through generations.

P.S. The picture is a Day Trip to the Flower Fields, the day the story blossomed, inspired by my own experiences growing up in Uganda. It is a reflection of the beauty I cherished (storytelling under the African night sky and the values passed on from one generation to another on how to live) and on what I would have desired to see in a book based on those experiences.