For more than one-third of my life, I didn't know who I was - even when I felt sure of myself. I had rebelled against my own expectations of who I am. I was a young helpless romantic, tenacious about what I wanted, but also a protector by nature. It was in the spring of 1977 when I decided to slow down and solidify my life by taking it more seriously. I wasn't living up to my potential. I was involved in crime and drugs, but was finally tired of living a lie. I was ready to close the first half of my book about my past - to start a new chapter in a new direction. With thanks to a neighborhood priest, Frank Quinlivan, contacted a battered women's shelter, the Siena House in Omaha, Nebraska, on my behalf. Sister Beth Daddio was the founder of the Siena House with the help of other nuns. My pass-time have been in writing poetry for the last twenty years. I write poetry about the things that matter to me. Although writing poetry is a passion, I realized that perhaps my book may help others to find the courage to change their direction, and still include my poetry. The more I wrote, the more I tried pulling back; especially having been self-destructive, and irresponsible. So, it was difficult to write this book. But if I could help others to understand how and why they found themselves gravitated into situations with adversity, they too can cleanse their thoughts; change their direction for a better life - helping them would be most gratifying for me.