Hey y’all, I’m Mandi and I’ve been writing most of my life. I wrote my first poem at age 6 and I haven’t stopped since — although I have taken quite a few hiatuses due to Life. In 2012, I lost my husband Rickey after 18 years together (16 married); we were together literally half my life at that point, and my entire adult life. For a couple years after he passed, I struggled with finding myself and figuring out who I was, aside from being Mrs. Rickey Smith. It was writing that eventually helped me heal and begin to put my life back together.

This past March, I was laid off from my job with the phone company after 18+ years and I am once again feeling lost and trying to rediscover myself and determine what course of action to take for my future. I’m hoping that participating in the Poetry Marathon will help me return to my written roots because I always seem to find whatever answers I’m seeking when I put pen to paper.

Currently I share a home with my boyfriend Lonnie; our big beautiful wiener dog Honeybun; Twinkie, our Chiweenie; and our identity confused tabby cat, Bruce (long story, but worth a listen!) I’m so glad I stumbled across the Poetry Marathon and super excited to experience it for the first time!