In February of 1981, I married a guy who gave me so much pain and stress, I never had the courage to try to fall in love again after I divorced him (17 years later).   He was the biggest mistake I ever made -- and the best choice.  Best, only because he gave me Kerry and Vanessa.

Kerry was born on November 20, 1982 -- conceived on our first anniversary.  Vanessa was born seven years later, on March 1, 1990 -- conceived on my mother's birthday. 

I left them in that VERY negative environment far too long.  All my fault, and I take full responsibility. For better or worse and all that nonsense.  Then my best friend asked me why God would want us to be so unhappy?   Then Kerry slipped and showed me she'd been cutting her arms.  I knew what I had to do.

Months later, we were a team of three on our way to Spokane, Washington to start a bright, new life.  And we've had no more regrets.   I'll post pictures of my girls here because I am so incredibly proud of the brilliant young women (29 and 22) they have become.  I don't take credit for all of that.  In so many ways, they raised me.  But I do take credit for loving them more than anything in the world.  That, like so little else, will never, ever change.