Papa's Letters

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.