Dear Friends,

With great anticipation, I look forward to greeting many of you (registered as well as walk-ins) this afternoon at the launch of Blossoming Hope: The Black Christian Woman’s Guide to Mental Health and Wellness as well as the Blossoming Hope Companion album!  We’ll be celebrating from 3-5 pm at The Armstrong Center for Hope, 5315 Highgate Dr., Suite 102 in Durham (27713).  What a journey this has been! I’ve received so many texts, emails, and calls from well-wishers across the country and around town who can’t make it, but send their prayers and celebratory cheer nonetheless.

These sentiments are especially welcome during a week in which my family has lost and funeralized my beloved stepfather, Calbert T. Carlton.  Cal was a deeply caring, kind, and jovial man who always had a joke or quip on his tongue. He’d just celebrated 25 years of marriage with my mother on 10/17, then turned 90 on 10/18.  Until three years ago, Cal was driving daily and well engaged in his career of tailoring.  He loved what he did and influenced generations of people, from his customers across the Triangle and region, to the tailors that he multiplied through his mentorship, passing on of entrepreneurial skills, and practical resources of sewing machines and other equipment shared.  May we all take note of his concrete example of converting passion into purposeful impact!

Yesterday’s services at his life-long church, North East Baptist Church, were uplifting. The outpouring of support from friends and family, including my Union Baptist Church family, were the best balm for an otherwise sad occasion.  My stepbrothers Daryl, Rick, and Gary, did an excellent job in sharing humorous stories about Cal, and Rev. Estella Feaster lifted our spirits as she reminded us of the importance of trusting God, even through the circumstances of grief.

So thanks in advance for all of the ways that you have already supported me and my family this week. I hope you are ready to party!! And if you can’t make it, please visit Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Blossoming-Hope-Christian-Womans-Wellness/dp/0999389416/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1511023349&sr=8-1&keywords=blossoming+hope) and stay tuned for more information about upcoming events.

À Votre Santé (“To Your Health”)

“Dr. T”

Tonya D. Armstrong, Ph.D., M.T.S.