I have always wanted to be a writer. My dream was to write "The Novel" and be on the best seller list. When my fiancee died in 1999, I became severely depressed and went through months of counseling. In a session with my pastor, she told me to read my Bible and write a letter to God for at least one hour every day. The Psalms have become a major source of comfort to me. Those letters became journals, and one day I had a revelation: I am part of the I AM, and I am free! The poetry started flowing soon after. As a single mother with five children, life has never been easy. Many days my writing was my therapy, my release from all the problems I faced. Writing definitely lightens my load, because it reminds me that God is in charge, not me. It reminds me that other people have troubles too, and I'm not the only one. Most of all, writing transforms me from a selfish, self-centered person to someone who can love everyone (almost) and embrace life with more confidence, more love, and more empathy for others. God has given me the talent to write so I can help others. I tell people that God has a sense of humor: I'm writing books, but they aren't "The Novel" in the way I dreamed as a young girl. My poetry is the novel of my life, and how I live my life is the novel other people read and see. I pray I live my life as God wants me to live, and write the best ending to the biggest best seller of all - to be with Him when my journey here is finished.