I am Kathleen Joiner, Author, Editor, Journalist

I was born into generations of writers and authors. A lineage of literary pioneers who were empowered by the pen and strengthened others with their gifts.

I, too, have embraced its power in journaling; to record thoughts, emotions, to benchmark my progress. In fact, many of my published stories and poems were birthed from the art of journaling.

Recently I realized my passion for journaling, once considered my unique trait, was inherited by my great grandmother, Estelle Beasey Turner, a weekly columnist for the Oakland Gazette, established in the writing arena of the era.

Great grandmother Estelle and I were very close. We shared names (Estelle is my middle name) Although she died when I was five, and I recall very few details, clearly the love for journaling and writing was embedded in our DNA. In fact, I discovered we share the same style of creating poems - faith filled and encouraging, birthed by consistently journaling to record dreams, prayers, reflections and strategies.

Regardless of her notoriety, great grandmother Estelle’s poems of life and reflections were not published. My mom’s desire to ensure her grandmother’s poems were shared led to the publication of the flip book, Climb into your Father’s Lap/ The Treasured Box. Two family lineage works of art, bound by one spine…