Pretty and Strong, 38 x 38 inch quilt, by O.V. Brantley, 2012. For sale at http://www.etsy.com/shop/ovbrantleyquilts.

Life has a lot of twists and turns, highs and lows, ups and downs, but every now and then, you hit a sweet moment. This weekend I participated in the initiation of my daughter India into our sorority Delta Sigma Theta. It was a sweet moment.

Our initiation ceremonies are secret. India had no idea about the time or the place of her initiation. I managed to sneak into Pittsburgh and hide out until the appointed time for the initiation ceremony without India having a clue. (My cover story was that I was attending a quilt show at the Gwinnett Center).  Her face when she entered the room and saw her mother who was supposed to be in Atlanta was a priceless moment.

Throughout India’s life, I secretly tried to raise her to be a Delta woman — a pretty and strong servant-leader. It was a sweet moment when I pinned the letters Delta Sigma Theta over her heart.

India and O.V. Brantley after India’s initiation into Mu Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta