JoAnn Shackleford was born on September 17, 1932. At ten years of age, her mom left and the family moved in with her grandparents. Two years later her dad had TB and was put in a sanatorium where he died. She and her brothers were put in foster care but separate homes. She married William Shackleford and loved being a stay-at-home mom to their three children, Benda, Paula, and Randy. After forty-six years her husband died. A two-time cancer survivor, JoAnn has been in dark places, but always comes to the light.

May these poems shed light on your dark times.