Introduction

What you are about to read is a collection of thoughts, emotions, and experiences that span a little more than twenty years of my life. Some are my personal experiences. Others are whispered words and special request to pen something that they themselves felt yet couldn't express as eloquently as they would have liked. (Please know that each one has read his or her special piece and approved it.) And in doing so, they shared a piece of themselves with me and helped to shape my destiny.