I need to be true to myself. I've spent too much of my life living by other's ideas of what my life should be like. Now I am the master of my destiny.

The first thing that came to my mind was "My children". Even though I've had medical emergencies were my life was saved by doctors, it was the love of and for my children that truly saved me. They were the guiding lights that I needed to come out of the darkness and begin to embrace life fully. I credit them with how wonderful my life is right now.

My curiousity and love of adventure make me a good traveler. When I go to new places, I look for the out of the way spots versus the tourist hot spots. I feel like it gives me a better sense of what the area is really like and its residents. I absolutely love to travel to new locations. It is one of my passions.

Art brings us so much. For the artist, their soul is revealed in their art. For the viewer/reader/listener, the soul is expanded by the art. A world without art is not worth living in.

I want to give the world the ability of acceptance; of themselves and others. In my heart, so many of the world's problems could be lessened or eliminated if everyone was able to accept themselves as they are and then accept that our differences are not only okay, but a gift.

Children are precious and should never be abandoned. My biological father and my legal father both abandoned me (siblings were affected as well). My ex husband has been a rare commodity in the lives our children. I simply don't understand the mentality that enables this. So my advice to all men is don't have children unless you plan on being there and giving them what they need.

I just graduated with a BA in Art so it's all around me. I'm a photographer, collage artist, and graphic designer. I make art with my eye, my hands, my computer, and my heart. My kids are artistic as well so it's a big part of our lives. Our house is filled with our art and our friends.

If I awake in the morning, I am abundant. I nearly lost my life at age 24 and since then, I have endeavored to realize that if I am alive, I have everything I need. My bank account may not be as high as I would like or my car may need repairs but I have my life, my children, my friends, and my sense of optimism. Everything else is gravy.

I am learning that I can accomplish anything I put my mind to. This past Saturday I received my B.A. in Art/Graphic Design - a goal I've had since graduating high school in 1978. Yesterday I received notice that I had been accepted into a MFA Graphic Design program at the Academy of Art University. And I have funding. Dreams really do come true.

My 19 yr. old daughter, who struggles with Bipolar Disorder, autism, and more, is beginning her college education this September. I wasn't sure that was ever going to happen and here it is. She also received academic scholarships along with federal and state financial aid so her education is paid for.

What I've really learned is that I can be happy even when there are struggles in my life. I don't have to pin my entire emotional status on one event or situation. I can be happy about myself and my life regardless of problems that come up.

My mom passed a little more than 16 years ago but I take her love with me everywhere. She taught me that mothers love their children through everything, even when they don't like what's going on. I took that a bit further in that I make sure I verbalize it to my children. Even though they are really cool teenagers now, I remind them all the time how much I love them and how proud I am to be their mother.