Life Takes Guts is my story about the tragedies I've experienced and come through that have made me a better person. With determination, courage, faith, and a never-give-up spirit, I am proud of who I have become today. Because of that fact, I was able to overcome all odds that may have caused many to give up and quit.

My life story took a sharp turn when I was two years old. Tragically, I lost my father in an automobile accident. Soon afterward, my grief-stricken mother met a man who wined her and dined her, primarily for her insurance money. I was four when this same man was brought into my life as my stepfather. He abused me emotionally, sexually, physically, and mentally from that day until I was 16.

I was removed from our home by authorities and placed into two different foster homes during my senior year of high school. I found myself pregnant at 18 by a man I loved, yet had no idea he was married. At 19, I became a mother to my daughter, Hannah. Sadly, at 21, I became pregnant by another man I barely knew and gave that child up for adoption at birth. When Hannah was seven, I married. The only problem was, at the time, I had no idea he was an alcoholic. He was abusive physically, mentally, and emotionally. During the years of our marriage, I had two sons, Kenneth and Michael. After 10 years of listening to his empty promises to get sober, I finally had the courage to leave. Thank God I did, for my children and myself.

After that time, I traveled around Michigan while working for a national food service management company. Later in Reno, Nevada, I worked various jobs while supporting my two children. After being terminated from a good job while trying to buy a home, I made the decision to move to Hawaii, land of paradise, on New Year's Eve in 1979 and start a new life in paradise with my youngest, Michael, who was eight years old. Kenneth was visiting his father in Michigan at that time.

In Hawaii, I rented a five bedroom house and was able to make the monthly payment by renting out the extra bedrooms. I followed my grandmother's example of how she managed with six children. Eventually, I was able to buy that house, including the ground lease. After it appreciated in value, I started a short-term rental business in Waikiki by purchasing two one-bedroom units. That soon grew into eight units.

I was the first Caucasian (Haole) who was hired by the Department of Education Food Service Department in Hawaii.

This is the story of hardships suffered and extreme challenges I faced during the course of my life. And how, by the grace of God, I was able to pull through and come out on the other side.