ter, are about to start grade school in a small Navy base town in East Texas after the close of World War II. Their parents share their plan to move from

town to a small ranch, and promise to get the children their own ponies, a dream come true! Both mom and dad quit their jobs at the local newspaper. She stays home with the kids, and he buys a honky-tonk beer joint and runs it day and night, across the street from the shipyards.She learns about alcohol and spends increasing amounts of time tucked away inside, isolated, and withdrawing. One neighbor describes the children as being almost "feral." The father's meanness grows from threats to mental and physical abuse. Finally, after years of this, the family breaks apart when the son drops out of high school and runs away.

And that is how the story of my life begins. The rest of my journey to becoming a college graduate, a teacher, a glass artist, a singer-songwriter, and an author will take decades to achieve. Along the way I learn that before I will ever be of value to others, I must find value within myself.