Audra, SGT Ronald, Gabe...real people? Parts of them are.

My life growing up was difficult from time to time, as were so many others, but I was not supported, I felt, in school, so I wrote my stories, and I threw them away to save the embarrassment of being discovered.

Through the years, I have met many people that do the same thing, or at least they used to.

I was afraid to write; it wasn’t manly.

After war, I still acted like writing was for weaker people. That was weak of me to think, especially because I journaled every single day for over a year while in Taji, Iraq in 2004-2005.

I am much older, and I see directly how writing has impacted my life. Writing has brought me back from some pretty dark places time and time again.

So, again, if I could spread one single message, it would be to write! If you write for you, then there are no rules at all! It doesn’t even have to be legible. These tales are designed to touch listeners' hearts, as well as motivate them to grow a longer-lasting smile, and to occasionally tell their story.

Have you ever wondered what a better life might look like for people you know that struggle?

Have you ever dreamed what a better life might look for you, sometimes?

If this is the case, then you will enjoy these stories.