4My intent in publishing this book of poetry is to record a journey of my life. Many stages have come and gone, but each has left memories of the positive and the negative events that occurred. During my life I have met many people who would leave a distinct impression with me. Some I've tried hard to forget while others I hold like a valuable gold coin-one that I would never want to lose or have taken away from me. I have experienced many events that were sorrowful, painful, and depressing. Other times, joyful, pleasurable, and memorable activities lifted my spirits to a level of extreme happiness. However, like most people, my days were filled with emotions related to the issues confounding me. While the words in my poems are about my life, I hope that they can find a ground that speaks to your feelings. I am not the only child neglected in childhood. I am not the only person sexual abused by a Catholic priest. I am not the only individual who suffered a gender identity crisis. I am not the only adult divorced by their mate. I am not the only human being to lose the person who I felt was irreplaceable. The world is overflowing with people who have had or are having the same or similar dilemmas.