The Book: My Beloved Journey
At age thirty-seven, Margaret’s world crashed and, a seed of resentment drew her into an abyss of darkness and chaos.
A harsh, cruel reality blindsided her. Her husband of twelve years had given his heart to another — a family acquaintance. Riddled with pain and anger, Margaret wrestled with marital disillusionment and waning self-confidence to determine how to reckon with both. My Beloved Journey: Faith, Family, Fortitude takes the reader through the valley of Margaret’s sojourn.
Regardless of the path, her most urgent concern was for her three sons, Marcus, Brandon, and Jonathan, ages eight, nine, and ten. If she were to become a single parent, how could she raise them to become men of integrity in the face of their father’s indiscretion? Additionally, the image and plight of Black men during the 1980’s were under attack due to the events of that era–the era that Nixon had declared the war on drugs. Crack cocaine had spread throughout major cities of America in epidemic proportions, resulting in the incarceration or deaths of Black males before the age of 25.
Myths countering a woman’s ability to raise boys to become men were pervasive. Media reports supported and supplanted the idea that boys being raised by a single mother had problems adapting to societal norms. Margaret doubted that she could fulfill a mission that was counter to her heart’s desire of being a wife and mother.
She loved her husband and wanted the best outcome for her sons. She also knew that she was haunted by decades of unreconciled trauma from situations with men who had tried to rape and sexually exploit her. Would her sons pay the price for the sins of the men who had hurt her?
Cloaked in rage and depression, Margaret thought about the unfairness of it all, and amid excruciating pain, considered suicide.
How did she ascend from resentment to reconciliation? My Beloved Journey: Faith, Family, Fortitude illustrates how she prevailed. It is a must-read for anyone who has past or present struggles with life’s challenges. This memoir can become your sojourn companion toward your destiny.
Reviews for My Beloved Journey
"Dr. Margaret Norris is brave, passionate and brilliant! In this memoir she's beautifully candid, honest and unfiltered about her journey from hurting to healing, from darkness to light, from weakness to power. This book is an inspiration, a gift and a reminder to all that You Are Enough!"
Terri J. Vaughn – Actress, Director, Producer
"Dr. Margaret Norris’ new book is a haunting reminder of the power and resilience of black women. Dr. Norris is the fuel that sustained a family in crisis. She is the energy in a constant battle to force a society to change its perception of black men. Margaret’s voice is a towering beacon of what’s possible. In a world spinning out of control, a black woman, a woman of faith, a woman with an outstanding moral and spiritual grounding was called upon to take the wheel of destiny - and steady the ship to calmer waters. This is a journey of inspiration, hard work, perseverance but above all hope."
Adonal Foyle – Author, National Speaker, NBA Golden State Warriors (Retired)
"Dr. Margaret Juanita Matson Norris bestows on readers a profound, dynamic, timely and candid tour de force. Her honest and heart-rending account of the destruction of her marriage required courage, faith and a desire to teach us much about the meaning and message of such a tragedy. "
Lenneal Henderson – Senior Fellow, Virginia State University
“This is a lovely, warm, relatable memoir written by a woman of faith and spirituality.”
Karen Hammond
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