Judith C. Lovell
Judith C. Lovell began writing poetry after a spiritually enlightening educational journey to Africa with legendary Egyptologist Dr. Yosef Ben-Jochannan in 1980. After years of writing inspirational poetry, Cannon Pruitt appointed her Poet-in-Residence at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Brooklyn. Judith has had numerous articles published. She also enjoys writing enlightening skits and educational short plays. She is the award-winning writer, director, and producer of “Moore than We Bargained For,” a riveting two-hour drama about HIV and AIDS and its horrific effects on a Brooklyn family. The play previewed at St. Philip’s for World AIDS Day on November 30, 2002 and had a run off-Broadway in 2003. Judith donated part of the show’s proceeds to the Balm in Gilead organization and the Brooklyn AIDS Task Force. For Caribbean History Month in June of 2010, the Carib News published “Papa’s Letters.” Its four-part series featured excerpts of her grandfather’s exquisite early-twentieth-century love letters. Judith’s Jamaican grandfather and grandmother were pen pals, beginning in October 1913. She inherited many of “Papa’s” letters. Though she does not have all of his letters or any of her grandmother’s letters, she has embarked upon a most interesting and rewarding genealogical project. Judith has expanded the series into this book. She strives to answer the numerous questions readers of the four-part series sent to her through Facebook and email.
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Papa's Letters: Love via First Class Male
Social Science. Genealogy Education
About ten years ago, I inherited a bundle of love letters and diary notes written by my maternal grandfather, David Clarence Hurd. He composed these writings while living in Brooklyn, New York. "Papa," as my grandfather was lovingly called, was originally born in Brown's Town, St. Ann, Jamaica, West Indies on April 13, 1885. Beginning in October of 1913, Papa wrote to my grandmother, Avril Louise Cato, who lived in Port Antonio, Jamaica. Initially pen-pals, they wrote to each other for nearly a year. The pen-pal phenomenon was quite popular back then. Customarily, through letter writing a pen-pal connected with another to learn about his country, customs, and lifestyle. Some pen-pal relationships, like that of my grandparents, blossomed into blissful romance. Papa got to know his future bride through letter writing. After forming a loving bond built on trust and faith, Papa poured out his heart to Grandma. He sent many impassioned love letters. He proposed marriage in a letter. She accepted the proposal in a letter. They physically met each other for the first time on Tuesday, August 25, 1914 in Port Antonio, the day before their wedding ceremony. |
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