The last thing I expected to do was to finish writing “Choosing Life.” I had written the first chapter of a book a few dozen times. Then I would put it away in a file to be forgotten forever. And so it was after I wrote the first chapter of this book. The next day, however, I woke up with an idea. By the end of the day, the second chapter was completed and filed away with the first chapter. I was finished again.

Then, two days later, another idea started another chapter. Before I knew it, I had written all thirteen chapters. Now I really was finished. It bothered me that there were thirteen chapters. I toyed with splitting up one of the chapters to make the book fourteen chapters. Or I could combine two chapters to make it twelve. But it was what it was. And this time, it was really completed. The person who was the most surprised was me.

“Choosing Life” is not a tell-all book. I left out many stories that could have been told, but I wanted to focus on telling my story, not the stories of those around me. It was not the story I wanted to write. It was not the life I wanted to live. But it was my story, for better or for worse. My hope is that my story will help others

One lesson to be learned is that even when we give up on our dreams, they often suddently come true. The next struggle was deciding to publish it. “Choosing Life” contains many very personal situations. I was concerned about being viewed as a victim. However, the struggles I faced and survived made me the strong independent woman that I am today.  For that I am grateful.