Grandma's Bones uniquely describes the life experiences of the author as a second-generation Washingtonian living in the impoverished and oftentimes dysfunctional conditions in Washington DC during the late sixties through the midseventies. In her novel, Sylvia offers a brief snapshot of her rich yet sometimes painful relationships with family, friends, and colleagues. A by-product of former mayor Marion Barry's summer jobs program for the youth of DC in the early seventies, Sylvia began a forty-year work legacy spanning various employment opportunities in the District of Columbia Government and the city's private sector. Her career track ultimately culminated in a prestigious position in the Federal workforce. Grandma's Bones attempts to further document Sylvia's lifestyle achievements in education after graduating with honors in 1976 from Cardozo High School in Washington DC. Sylvia is also a graduate from the elite Washington School for Secretaries, where she earned a stenographer certification after taking evening courses, while maintaining full-time employment. Sylvia also earned a business administration degree and graduated with honors from Strayer University in 2004. One of the primary purposes of the novel is to document the author's life experiences with a view toward offering guideposts to reach out across generations, sharing a fundamental message to "dare to aspire and achieve high levels of success and trust God in all things despite the odds."