Two people who most influenced my writing, my Daddy and my Aunt Nita, neither encouraged—nor discouraged—me to publish. What they did, in very different ways, was to inspire and nurture in me a love of words to express my deepest thoughts and emotions. Both were wise beyond my ability to comprehend. As a child, I had no idea the impact each would have on my future as an author. Only as an adult, did I realize how very talented each was as writer. I love and miss them. I always will.