Acknowledgements

My deepest gratitude for my son, Wesley Maye, who has listened to me read out loud, more poems in raw form than any other person I know. Your patience and your love is the real deal. I hit the jackpot with you. I love you.

To my Dad, Step Mom, and brother – thank you for the consistent support and unyielding encouragement to keep leaning into this journey of writing, healing, and storytelling. The stable foundation you have provided has given me the courage to keep spreading my wings. I love you.

Maddie Young, Nikki Macaulay, and Darla Sweezey – thank you for taking the time to proof read, make suggestions, and organize my thoughts in the best possible way.

To my dearest friends – you have never let me give up on my desires or my visions and for that I owe each of you the world. I am blessed beyond measure to have you in my life. Words fall short when I try to tell you how grateful I am to be loved by you.

To my Mom who put a journal and a pen in my hand in the earliest years of my childhood and told me to, “Go. Write.” Your spirit lives in each word written, always. I love you.

My Divine Creator – my undying gratitude for this life I have been given that hasn’t always been an easy one but it has taught me what it means to be loved, supported, and cared for unconditionally.