Reality of Life

About the Book

A small house in New Orleans, Louisiana (9th Ward), Desire Housing Project in the early 1990s is where you would find the Melbourne family, which is not your typical family but a close nit family who believes in supporting one another in life. The house is not very big but crowded with a vast amount of paraphernalia of a lifetime. God’s presence is throughout every wall, nail and screw. However, all is done with the one person whose foundation in God is evident, and that is Ms. Mia-Duke, who we all love to call Grahams because she is so sweet and reminds every one of their precious grandmother …

Maria is a smart-mouth teenager who will soon learn the importance of life, but it will take a serious issue with Raul that will turn the light on, but her favorite cousin comes to the rescue before her virginity is lost.

Tulip the clean alcoholic has a problem that many cannot see from his attire but smell on his breath. He carries himself well but is slowly killing himself because of denial.

Big Bo, recently released from prison, is called home to help in a family matter and when he is confronted with his past, the tears will roll—and possibly the heads.

Mia-Duke (Grahams) is the centerpiece to the family, who loves her Lord but worries for her family. The ins and outs of life will be a challenge, and her God will be her guide to bring it all together.

About the Author

Troy Lynn Palmer is the name I was born with on March 22, 1967, at 0201 hours in Charity Hospital, New Orleans, Louisiana, to my parents March E. Palmer and Mortie A. Forman. In my life I have accomplished many great things and seen a lot, but no matter the obstacles or the adversity I faced in life, I made it. My parents produced twelve children, together and apart.

I graduated in 1986 from Walter L. Cohen Senior High School, where I played tight end and defensive end for the Green Hornets football team. I worked numerous jobs for two years, including garbage man, landscaper, and Popeye’s Fried Chicken employee. It was rough, but I did what I had to do to become a man in New Orleans.

I enlisted in the military on June 16, 1986, at the age of nineteen. On March 5, 1987, fifteen days prior to my twentieth birthday, I headed off to the Great Lakes to begin boot camp. I graduated and finished ATD School, and four months later, I was off to Little Creek Amphibious Base in Norfolk, Virginia. My first ship was the USS Sumpter LST 1181. I finished my great career on board the USS George H. W. Bush CVN 77, where I retired. I served twenty-six outstanding years with no major infractions. I am married to my beautiful wife Me’Linda R. (Mills) Palmer. I have two children with my first wife, Marcus Troy Palmer and Empris Ramona Palmer, and one stepdaughter, Jakia Mon’e Teasley.

During my navy career, I received many accolades and accomplished tremendously. The one thing I am most proud of is the fact that I lived and am living a free and clean life. To me it is my duty, my mission, my honor, and, of course, my calling to live a good life. Growing up in the world, that is not easy. As we all face adversity, day in and day out, we have to remain free from all the negative qualities in life.

I believe that all good given comes back to the one who gave to others. I am a giver in life, at least with my knowledge and strength. It is about how you present yourself. The people who have a chance to meet you will have great things to say of you unless you have not lived a good life.

I first wrote a play called Reality of Life: Maria in 2000 while on a major deployment with the USS Harry S Truman CVN 75. That play was written and rewritten repeatedly. During my final seven-month deployment, I decided to turn the play into a book. By the time I returned to my home port of Norfolk, Virginia, I had completed six books.