Excerpts from the book

Affectionately, Toots

My Mother’s Journal
by Cheryl Elferis

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From the Journal (Toot's writing):

The taskmaster and ruler of the clan was Dad. As the U.S. entered the Depression, Dad joined the NYC Board of Education as a custodian engineer. Dad—one of the first men of color to reach Board of Education status. We always had enough—a full, generous life. We saw people standing on [bread] lines and didn’t know what they were waiting for. Although others suffered the repercussion of the financial setback, we continued life as usual: piano lessons, ballet lessons, private schools, shopping. There was always food on our table and clothes on our back—we lacked for nothing.

From the Diary (Toot's writing):

Tuesday 15: Cooke, Walter, Honey and I went to Traverse City. Honey placed engagement ring on finger. Girl I was so happy. Usual loving accompanied evening. Had dinner—then a heavy wind storm cutting off electricity and water. Went to bed by oil lamp. Such fun.

Wednesday 16^th: Woke up at 6 am—went back to bed. Dreamt Momma raised hell because I had spent all day loving and made Sondra run away. Whew—it was good to wake up in Honey’s arms. If this is heaven, let me die now.

From the book (Cheryl's writing):

Toots was an enigma, a woman of many layers, not at all transparent. Her mind worked as fast as her fingers could fly across a keyboard. She would start one subject, ask one question, and while you were still thinking of an answer, she was already on another topic. I always got the feeling that I was a few steps behind her. Toots was larger than life—formidable, I think is the word. No one would challenge her. I feared I could never walk in her footsteps. Never mind that I was supposed to be my own person—I wanted to be just like her. I wanted to be strong, not easily swayed, my mind always clearly made up, always sure of myself, no match for any challengers. Many things are clearer in retrospect, but some parts of my mother’s essence will always be a mystery to me.

My Mother’s Journal by Cheryl Elferis

My Mother’s Journal
by Cheryl Elferis