What can I say about my life? Is there any one thing I didn’t do that I regret? No. My life up until April 22, 1980 was a life of inaction. I was too afraid of criticism and rejection that I simply didn’t do anything. I was a rug people walked over. They expected me to do what they wanted and I did. I didn’t think for myself, and I certainly didn’t do for myself, not what I wanted.

My thoughts ate me for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The scenarios about what I would do if I could always fell by the wayside of reality. Then everything changed.

My name means bold, strong, valiant. That was a laugh until April 22, 1980 when my entire life changed. I accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord that day and I couldn’t keep my mouth shut. I started saying things I always wanted to say. You couldn’t keep me quiet. I stopped being a rug and started taking charge of my life.

Was I too late? Probably. I made too many mistakes as a parent and wife to want to run and hide, but I couldn’t do that either. My days of running and hiding were over. My days of letting people walk over me were over. My days of bad parenting were over. At least I hoped they were. My marriage lasted a few more years, but in reality, it was over too.

Did I suddenly get life right? No. Mistakes were my proving ground. Did people accept me? Eventually.

Today, I have many friends. I have confidence, and I’m not a pushover. Nobody walks over me like a rug any longer. I’m a force to be reckoned with and those who know me, know that.

Thanks for reading. The image is my high school graduation picture.