And I Shall Wear A Crown

November 2, 2014

1–2 minutes

We celebrated the homegoing of my grandmother, Wilmotine Brown Gwyn on yesterday. It was a day of full of love, laughter and the sweetest of memories. On the wings of a brisk wind, family traveled in from Arkansas, Indiana, Massachutes, North Carolina, Ohio and the Virgin Islands to strengthen the bonds of family and celebrate a life well lived. The daughters and granddaughters of the family were invited to wear one of my grandmother’s hats to the service. This felt like a true rights of passage for me. You see, my grandmother was a First Lady and throughout my lifetime I remember her and the hats that she wore to church. I never dreamed of one day wearing one of her hats. I was humbled to pay tribute to her life in this way and as I looked around the packed room of my family in the house just before the funeral processional, I saw and felt the spirit of both my grandparents fill that little house with an unearthly type of joy. I am blessed to be a part of this family. I am blessed to be a part of this legacy. I am blessed to wear this crown and I will do so with my head held high.

I love you, Grandma. I will miss you. I thank you for teaching us to love and protect our family at all cost because family truly is the most precious gift given to us by God the Father Almighty.

~ Marta G.

One response to “And I Shall Wear A Crown”

thewriteaddiction7

November 4, 2014 at 5:32 am

I am truly thankful to have had the opportunity to care for Mom/Grandmom. I am thankful that the suggestion was made that we pay tribute to her by wearing her hats. It is strange in the house now. Even with the radio on, it is still too quiet. I know that it will take time to make this adjustment. I know without question that this will be an even more difficult adjustment for me than when Dad passed. I truly miss my riding partner. Your expressions in this piece were spot on.

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Marta C. Youngblood

Writer • Producer • Story Architect Marta Collier-Youngblood is the creative force behind MartaGwyn Productions and TheWriteAddiction, platforms devoted to storytelling that uplifts, heals, and provokes reflection. A lifelong writer and cultural curator, Marta explores the intersections of identity, heritage, and imagination through projects that span fiction, fan narratives, social commentary, and multimedia production. Her works—often grounded in themes of belonging, transformation, and care—invite audiences to see themselves reflected in powerful new ways. From her acclaimed WriteAddiction storytelling platform to innovative collaborations that bridge art, education, and social justice, Marta’s creative vision champions authenticity and community connection. Whether crafting worlds inspired by Star Trek or reimagining Southern histories through her unique lens, she writes with an unshakable belief in the transformative power of story.

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