On Our Way to Beautiful

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In this warm and heartfelt memoir, Yolanda Young shares stories of innocence, experience, wisdom, and redemption, reflecting on the strong lessons that shape her life and faith. Growing up in Shreveport, Louisiana, a town where prayer and gambling coexist, Yolanda navigates a world filled with contrasts—juke joints beside churches, and betting slips alongside offering envelopes. Despite the unpaved streets and shotgun shacks, her family and community instill deep-rooted values. With Southern humor and spiritual insight, Yolanda introduces memorable characters, including her great-grandmother Big Momma, whose words “Now let’s wend” herald adventures, and her grandmother Honey-moon, known for her bone-crushing hugs. Her next-door neighbor, Mrs. Leviston, humorously remarks on her age, saying she’s too old to be shocked, highlighting the resilience and wisdom of the community. Even in the face of distress, such as witnessing her father shoot her mother, Yolanda and her mother emerge stronger, celebrating their survival together. Bracing, funny, and uplifting, this memoir reveals how hope can arise from despair and how trials can transform into triumph.