March 8, 1947 to September 9, 1974

It's my mom's birthday today. 

I love this picture of my mom and me. There aren't many so I cherish the ones that I do have.

In my book "The Sun Neither Rises nor Sets" I speak about my mom and her having to leave my life when I was one and a half years old. Writing about her is not done in a disparaging way, because her reasons for leaving are understood by me as having seen why she couldn't remain. 

What I do reference in my book is that I was six years old in the year of her death (1974). I also reference the fact that I got my first bible a month after her death. Most importantly I reference my conversation with God that took place when I was six years old by the church from which I got my first bible. (I was unaware of my mom's passing until I was 13 years old).

I've been on this planet for 55 years and nothing that God has given to me to date has compared to that moment with Him. I did as He asked to always have faith in Him and I'd learn what it was all for. It wasn't an easy undertaking and only He knows my attempts to do as He asked. 

My efforts to always listen to Him even when I didn't want to, or didn't think I could do as He asked, are about to be shared with the world. The book I co-authored with Him will ensure my foundation, RJ Streetz Foundation Inc., has the funds it requires to carry out its mission. There is glory in listening to your soul. 

Although I didn't know my mom, I have enough personal stories over my lifetime of her assisting me when I really needed her to be there. I can say definitively that she is proud to be my mom without her ever having to say the words to me. She was a free spirit and I am sure would be tickled to share her birthday with International Women's Day. <3