I grew up protected and loved unconditionally by my parents. It wasn’t until I stepped outside of that protection that I would experience some of life’s greatest heartaches. I married at the age of 15 and had three of my four children back to back. Before the age of 18 I was faced with the unimaginable and although much of the next year or so would be spent not knowing what was next, I had to hold on tight to my roots, which were my faith and the support of my family.

By the age of 22 I was divorced and remarried to my second husband whom I had my fourth child. Life seemed to repeat unspoken patterns of unfaithfulness that I settled to accept until wisdom and love were spoken into me and I then decided to step out on my own and create for myself what I thought I could never obtain alone.

I have paid a price to tell my story. I had to gain the courage and bravery to step past the worry, judgment, or thoughts of others towards me and my past. I have walked through the fire and now I am reaching back to help other women and men be able to see through the smoke of their past. I also encourage all to be able to take hold of the pen in their hands and rewrite their stories.