I am very proud that my memoir piece, “Louise Love’s Kitchen” has been published in the 2023 Real Women Write Anthology. The theme is Mothers and Mentors: The Art of Nurturing, and my story is about going as a little girl to the home of Louise Love, who was our family’s housekeeper. I loved visiting there and often watched Louise and her daughter cook dinner together. This was something my mother and I never did since my mother simply was not a cook. Though Louise lived in a more humble house than my family did, I understood that she and her daughter shared a bond that money could not buy. Though I would have loved that cooking connection with my own mother, I came to realize that we would bond over other things. However, in homage to Louise Love, I recreated with my own daughters that cooking ritual that I first saw at Louise’s home. Working side-by-side to create a wonderful meal for the people you love not only establishes a powerful link but also illustrates love in action. I am grateful to have had Louise Love’s guidance in my life.

This anthology is full of heartfelt stories written by women about mothers and mentors: the good, the bad, and the ugly. Consider buying one for yourself and one for someone you love. Your money will support Story Circle Network’s mission, which is to encourage all women to tell their stories.