What We Found Along the Way - by Cathy R Foreman & Mary R Foreman (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

What We Found Along the Way is a story of discovery, memory, and the power of shared journeys. Through winding roads, small towns, and unexpected detours, Cathy R. and Mary R. Foreman uncover pieces of history, hidden beauty, and the quiet truths that shape a life.

For generations, many Black stories have been lost - unrecorded as elders passed on. These road trips became more than adventures; they became a way to preserve a living history. In the spirit of the Green Book, the authors record the present while reclaiming the past, gathering family stories, cultural memory, and personal reflection along the way.

Blending humor, warmth, and the unshakable bond between a mother and daughter, this book reminds us that some of the most important destinations are the ones we stumble upon by chance. Each chapter invites readers to slow down, look closer, and remember that the most meaningful stops are the ones where we learn, grow, and love along the way.

Poignant and deeply human, What We Found Along the Way is more than a travel memoir. It is an inheritance of stories, a celebration of resilience, and a reminder that the road itself often carries the answers we seek.

For readers who believe in the power of family, memory, and adventure, this book is an invitation to find your own meaning in the places - and people - you encounter along the way.

Review Quotes

"It's May 10, 2025, and I receive a message from Cathy inquiring about how I would feel about providing 3 map-like sketches for her upcoming book with her mother. My initial thought was "me, provide sketches for a book?!", however, I was grateful that I was even entrusted to carry out the task and tap back into my gift of drawing. I received the drafts of the stories that I illustrated for, and wow. The stories were so vivid that I could see myself with Ms. Mary and Cathy as if I were tagging along with them on the many adventures they embarked on. In reading these stories, I was met with humor, uneasiness, frustration, sadness, and even humbleness. These stories of Black History, AMERICAN HISTORY, make me proud to be who I am and I hope these stories provide meaning for the reader as they dive into them and find something for themselves along the way." - Shantal (illustrator)

_____________________________________________________________

"Cathy is one of the most well-traveled women I know! But with as exciting and interesting as her life has been, I didn't think travel would encompass everything a robust life could offer her audience. Sigh..........never doubt Cathy lol. She somehow managed to tie her unique way of seeing things, her passion, her purpose, her craziness, and her off-the-wall stories, and weave it into the tapestry of travel. Again, making something that could've been mundane and adding her own touch of magic to it." - Shumara

_____________________________________________________________

"It felt like I was right there with Cathy and her mom, laughing, exploring, and learning along the way. It's a wonderfully written and entertaining collection of travel experiences that truly capture the joy of exploring the world with your person. Through their eyes, I felt the thrill of getting a little lost and the beauty of discovering new places together. Each story felt genuine and insightful, offering not just travel tales but reflections on connection, curiosity, and adventure." - Brookie

_____________________________________________________________

"I got your book out of my mailbox at 3:30 and started reading at 4. It is now 6 and I just closed the book. It was fabulous! It made me laugh and cry. I can just hear your mama cussing! Your journey through all the historical places carried me to places I'll never see but would like to go. Your viewpoint was incredibly poignant for places like the plantations, the Edmund Pettis Bridge, Memphis, and the Legacy Museum and the Lynching Museum. I could feel your pain. I am so incredibly proud of you and mom for this wonderful book. Loved the letter to your mom! It really made me cry because I remember what a dedicated, hardworking mama she was when we worked for Halifax County Schools." - Nancy