ABOUT THE AUTHOR

From the mountains of Wild, Wonderful West Virginia, I came of age in a portion of the country known to many as Almost Heaven.  In the safety of these mountains, I reside with my loving husband.  Together we share three adult children and five spirited grandchildren.  Despite growing up in the mountains, I have a strong love for the ocean and its beautiful sounds.

My roots in storytelling stem from my ancestors who first came to West Virginia.  They passed down the rich stories of how the family settled in the area.  Every family reunion was spent listening attentively to the older patriarchs and matriarchs share these stories that were passed down from their parents, grandparents, and great grandparents.  That same passion for hearing and sharing life stories resides within me.

Growing up, I one day recognized that I had an affection for people.  I was always drawn to the individuals that were looked down upon by others—the underdog.  This affection extended to children.  I noticed that small children gravitated towards me—even the children of strangers.  It was not uncommon for babies in restaurants and stores to stare at me and smile.

I wake up each day with a strong desire to share my experiences and the truths that have delivered me.  Finding love on earth and discovering where I fit in was a long painful journey.  Only now do I understand that the journey was necessary for me to be in a place to help others.  Nothing gives me greater joy than guiding others along this journey.