Acknowledgements 

A word of thanks…
   
     This book would not exist without the incredible encouragement and assistance from some amazing people. I want to thank first my writing mentor and friend for sharing her knowledge and insights with me, as she does with so many, through her writing and speaking. To hear her expound the subtle details of writing is to sit at the feet of a Master. Her ability to craft her thoughts and feelings into words is the pinnacle to which I aspire. After I earned my MFA, she encouraged me to tackle this project. She read the incubus for the book and cheered me on as I polished the final draft. This book would not exist without her input and encouragement, so thank you, M, for what you do and for who you are.
   
      My designated Readers who tirelessly tackled the chapter drafts deserve a round of applause. When packet after packet arrived at their homes across the country, I know they had second thoughts about agreeing to this project, yet when I received back the marked pages bearing their comments, their hands shaped this work into its final form. Each Reader has known me for years: some as many as fifty years, some for as few as five. Some walked with me through these chapters, but some knew nothing of my struggles. I chose these Readers for who they are: strong independent women with careers in healthcare, education, social work, technology, civil service, the military, and writing. Their own accomplished lives informed their critique of my work, so I offer my heartfelt thanks to…. Their input was truly invaluable.
   
      Thanks go to my daughter who provided input and support as she was able, often by merely listening to me read selected chapters aloud to her. Much of this book retells chapters of our life together, so I hope someday she can read this in its entirety. Her encouragement, empathy, and love buoyed me up as I slogged through telling my story, but she has her own story to tell. I am more proud of her and more grateful for her than words can ever say.
   
      Finally, I want to express my gratitude to my best friend, my Thelma, who also served as a Reader for this project. More important than reading, she walked with me through my darkest hours. Her words began the book and launched me on my voyage toward awakening, enlightenment, and ultimately liberty from the darkness in which I dwelled. Her words brought me out of the shadows and into the light. It is my deepest hope that these pages will cause that same awakening to anyone who reads them.