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Pearls Perfected Institute

He Lit the Sky, But Left the Story Untold

Jul 2 / Dr. Janice R. Love

Every year when the Fourth of July rolls around, I find myself smiling before I even see the fireworks. Not just because of what the holiday represents, but because of who it reminds me of.

 

My daddy was a fireworks fanatic.


Even into his later years, nothing brought him more joy than setting off his pop bottle rockets and roman candles like it was his own personal fireworks show. He’d skip the deposit fee and save those soda bottles all year long—just to be ready. He loved the speed, the thrill, and the way those bottle rockets would zip across the sky, ending with a bang you could feel in your chest.

 

But he didn’t stop there. He’d light up the roman candles and watch us kids "oooh" and "aaah" as balls of color shot into the night sky from what looked like the smallest, simplest tube. That was my dad—a small man packed with power.

 

He stood maybe 5'8" on a good day, but you couldn’t tell him he wasn’t a giant. He went to college on a football scholarship and made such an impact as a running back he was later inducted into the Hall of Fame. And he never let us forget: being small didn't mean being less. He taught us how to hold our heads up high, how to fight for our dreams, and yes—how to season pork ribs just right before laying them on the grill. The 4th of July was his day.

 

But now, all these years later, with the smell of ribs in the air and fireworks bursting overhead, I realize something heartbreaking: I never got the full story. I don’t know how he felt when he was drafted into the Army during his senior year of college. I don’t know how he made it through serving while being shot in the leg. I  don’t know what dreams he laid down—or picked up—after the war.

 

I know his quirks. I know the way he held his barbecue fork and turned those ribs over on the grill. I know his voice when he shouted, “Y’all get back!” But I don’t know the full story of his freedom… or what it cost him.

 


Are You Truly Free If You’re Still Afraid to Tell Your Story?

This holiday, as we wave our flags and pass down our family traditions, I can’t help but ask: What legacy are we leaving if we only pass down the rituals but not the stories behind them? Freedom isn’t just about national history—it’s about personal history.

It’s about feeling safe and seen enough to tell your truth.


It’s about owning your experiences, your voice, and your vision—so those who come after you don’t have to guess what made you the man or woman you were.

 

I wish I had my dad’s story in his own words. Not just the highlight reel. Not just what he did, but how he felt. What he feared. What he hoped. What he wanted for us when he was sitting in that Army hospital or scoring that touchdown. So many of us come from powerful, complex people whose lives were full of meaning—but whose stories went untold. And now, that silence sits between generations.


Telling Your Story Is an Act of Freedom

This July, as we celebrate the fireworks and family, I want to challenge you—and especially the men reading this—to consider the freedom that comes from telling your story.

Write about your pain.  Write about your joy. Write about what shaped you—before the world tries to rewrite your legacy without your input.

And to the women reading this: encourage the men in your life. They may not realize how powerful it is to simply tell the truth. Help them break the silence. Help them leave something more than a grill technique or a favorite firework.


Last Call for Black Men Write Too

If you’re ready to tell your story—or help someone you love do the same—join me in Black Men Write Too, an 8-week course designed to guide Black men through the process of writing their memoir, honoring their truth, and passing down their legacy.

 

Whether you want to write a full book or simply start capturing key memories, we’ll walk through it step by step, with encouragement, spiritual reflection, and a whole lot of real talk.

 

📅 Enrollment is open now until July 7, 2025.
🔗 Learn more at www.BlackMenWriteToo.com

 

"Telling the truth is not about bitterness. It’s about breaking chains."
"Writing your story is an act of freedom. Not to harm—but to heal."

 
Blessings,

 Dr. Janice R. Love
Founder Pearls Perfected Institute

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