Count It All Joy

Norma-Jean traces her journey as a biracial child growing up in the fifties, traveling the world with her Latvian mother and Black military father. The story recounts her teenage marriage and the stresses, hardships, family secrets, and tragedies of life as they built a family together.



Witness the challenges of American life on the cusp of the civil rights movement through Norma-Jean's childhood eyes. Walk alongside her as she learns to deal with prejudice with her mother's help while coming of age on the central coast of California. Step into Norma-Jean's story and be inspired by the warmth and wit of a courageous woman who let nothing stand in the way of her commitment to her family and faith.



Throughout a tumultuous life, Norma-Jean clung fiercely to hope and an innate optimism that her faith in God would anchor her and her family. Grappling with economic instability and periods of great grief through much of her life, she realized it still held hope and began a vibrant new chapter, sharing her determination to live every day with intention.