Remembering Clayton: "I'm Alright"

Remembering Clayton: “I’m Alright” Staying positive as possible and trying to focus on the bright side of things is a quality we all strive to have. Brother Clayton possessed this quality and he showed it well. What I admired most about Clayton is this: While coping with a medical condition throughout the years, Clayton’s personality would shine brighter than his ailment. Several years ago, Clayton attended a book talk event at John J. Wright Educational and Cultural Center in Spotsylvania, Virginia. After the event I thanked Clayton for coming and then I asked him how he was doing, and he simply replied, “I’m alright.” A couple weeks ago, I found out that Brother Clayton Ellis is now in Heaven. I’ll never forget his special quality, something I’m constantly working on. – Randolph Randy Camp (Photo: December 2017, Book Talk Event at John J. Wright Educational and Cultural Center. Clayton Ellis is seated beside his sister Sherry Ann in the back row. Clayton has on his brown leather coat and wearing a black baseball cap.)

Acts of Kindness

Yes, it’s true, today’s headlines are definitely disheartening. The news makes it hard to believe and trust anyone anymore. While I was in the Air Force I experienced things that made me sick, but every day I fight to regain my trust in people. Every now and then others show their kindness and that helps me in my struggle to regain this trust. No matter how cruel and mean the world gets though, ultimately I do believe that there are more kind and goodhearted people out there than bad ones. Case and point, on this sunny January morning, an anonymous act of kindness was shown at RANDIE’S FREE LIBRARY. May God Bless each and every one of you who continually maintains a kind heart regardless of the heartless things you see and read about in the news. – Randolph Randy Camp

Thank You

We all have a special light in us. It’s been over five years since Randie ‘Dani’ has been physically gone but her spirit is still felt every single day. It is five days before Christmas, and within the past two weeks, RANDIE’S FREE LIBRARY has received book donations from all around the globe. I would like to especially thank Akiko (from Hachinohe, Japan), Lina (from Cologne, Germany), Terry (from Tallahassee, Florida), and Jamila (from Nairobi, Kenya) for their generous book donations and helping to fulfill Randie’s dream. Sometimes these packages come on my most darkest of days and I can’t even express to y’all how my spirit is instantly lifted when I see them at my doorstep. It’s like Randie is sending me messages from Heaven, saying “I’m still here.” It warms my heart to know that Randie is touching people from around the world and that her light is still shining. And once again, I would like to sincerely thank everyone for your book donations, and may the light inside of you will continue to shine brightly! Have a wonderful Christmas EVERYONE. – Randolph Randy Camp

Beauty Around Us

In spite of all the negativity in the world we still have a lot of beauty around us. I think I have a fascination with murals. When I was writing my fourth novel ’29 Dimes’ I featured several murals within the story. Silver Lake and Echo Park, California have quite a few gigantic murals. (Photo: Dutch artist Leon Keer working on a colorful mural in downtown Des Moines, near Grand Avenue and Tenth Street.) When things get a bit weary try looking for the bright spots around you. – Randolph Randy Camp

Tell Your Story

Tell Your Story… Don’t let others define you. There are some who are counting on you to quit. The moment we quit is the moment we allow others to label and define us. I was always a ‘school boy’, a book nerd, and I certainly was taunted and teased for it. I remember being laughed at and mocked when I used to tell others about my stories and dreams. My horticulture teacher, Ms. Birdie West (R.I.P.), was one of my favorite teachers back in Spotsylvania County because she was instrumental in building my confidence. “Randy, you’ll get there,” Ms. West would often tell me. In a world where people are getting some sort of joy out of demeaning others, we must never give up on ourselves. It’s mid-August 2025, and earlier today I was informed that four of my books will be published as hardcover editions worldwide. (I wish Ms. Birdie West was still with us so that I could share this moment with her.) We need to be proud of ourselves and never be afraid to express who we are. Don’t be afraid to tell your story. If someone else can benefit from your story then you must tell it, no matter what. And don’t let a rejection letter discourage you. Matter ‘ fact, make good use of that rejection letter by using the backside to outline your next project. – Randolph Randy Camp

Learn more at https://www.amazon.com/author/randolphcamp

A Blessing Came Today

I want to thank Matt, Vikki (middle), and Samantha ‘Sam’ (far-left) for their generous book donation to RANDIE’S FREE LIBRARY today. Matt is an alumni of Iowa State University, and he personally knew Randie. When Matt was a kid his favorite children’s book was ‘Go, Dog. Go!’ Vikki’s favorite children’s books were ‘Cinderella’, ‘Snow White’, ‘Black Beauty’, and she enjoyed all of the Disney-related stories when she was a little girl, especially the stories with animal characters. Sam likes poetry and enjoys reading poems to her kids, and she tells me that ‘Where the Sidewalk Ends’ is one of her little daughter’s favorite books.

Keep At It

Finish what you started. Some days are better than others. Keep at it. There were times when I felt like throwing in the towel but I kept at it. Keep chipping away at your goals. In the photo is the plaque mentioned in my previous piece ‘Between Friday and Monday’ (see the full article on LinkedIn.) – Randolph Randy Camp More at https://www.amazon.com/author/randolphcamp