If you asked someone who knows me to describe me, I’m sure they’d say I’m more mainstream and traditional than quirky or offbeat. I would describe myself as bright, articulate, kind, loving, possessing a social conscience, devoted to family, a trusted friend, artsy, a great cook, a lover of all things lavender and purple, a good dancer, a tough but fair business negotiator, a community volunteer, a spiritual being, a generous individual, a Tennessee Titans football fan, a sissy-girl in size 4 clothes, an accomplished floral designer, a person grateful to God to be living in this imperfect country of ours, doing this work and continuing to wonder, why me?

From May, 1987 to March 2004, I was employed in the hospitality industry for both airlines and hotels in sales, marketing, operations and supervision to the director and national level, often with erratic schedules and out-of-state travel. Since I became a single parent three years prior, during that time, I worked part-time as a floral designer and cleaned houses so my schedule could coincide with the children’s needs, until I felt more comfortable leaving them with sitters. I mention this for one reason. With all this responsibility, my days were not spent in Church praying I would hear messages. I prayed a lot, but for help to get through my situation. My days were very long, exhausting and the only extra-curricular activities I was interested in was getting some sleep!