What did you want to be when you grew up? A doctor? An astronaut? Maybe a police officer? When I was little, I always said I wanted to be a “typer girl” or a pediatric nurse. But, as I grew older, I realized that I really just wanted to be myself. I was always bullied and gossiped about in school whenever I stuttered during prayer before lunch or when my best friend and I had a secret handshake or when I said I love the Titanic (1997) film. From the music I love to sing to the company I keep, someone always had something to say about it. But, after so long, I learned to ignore those who didn’t like the real me and just focused on those who loved me for me. My advice to is: JUST BE YOU! I always introduce myself as a proudly weird person because I would rather just be myself than someone I’m not. So just remember, always be yourself and don’t ever let anyone tell you any different!

As a child, I went so mild-to the Best School in the world
Southeast Elementry, Kindergarden was plenty-even grade 3 had a sweet girl.
Poor with nothing else, but was so happy-most everyone had such cool stuff.
Free to learn Mr. and Mrs. alphabet-and the menu at lunch was so much!
So I learned how to put those letters together, and write my heart so young
And never thought I’d see the day-I’d be writing from “The Unsealed” Love!
The kids then at School, I remember so cool-how they all truly was
Now yrs. gone by, they still are cool-though life makes me cry from above!
Was not fair for them, nor me, nor any-how things turned out as they did,
Though tradgety so far makes many alarmed-Adults reap the good sown as kids.
So all to find, all reap some good-at different levels, experiance normally would
Take the cons with the pros-could of been a prep, but had to be a hood.
Went so fast, I tried like crazy-to keep my grand childhood free…
But was taken soon, as a swift blast-so God gave Grace to me!!!
By grade 6 I was sick of the sticks, where my Dad moved us all out so-
Therefore I took and ran away-and ran so mad, everywhere I did go!
Drunk and high all the time-every reality I had to escape
My lost soul out of control-so long my madness, lived in the hate.
But this is not about, how I dropped out-of the Southeast Pirates School
It’s about how I wanted all along-again to be so happy and cool 🙂
More yrs. gone by, deeply stuck in pride-But bottomed desire comply,
To the time I wished I could be-the such happy kid I thought to hide.
Then from the Best School in the world, to the school of streets’ hard knocks-
I waited, and waited, and waited a lot…Until by God I was finally caught!
Then He took me to the place-And enrolled me in the School of Amazing Grace!
Now by the faith of my inner child-He took me off trial-For Jesus to pay my fair!
And I tell you all the while-come to find out, He really always did care!!! 🙂
October 18th, a life-changer indeed, He made this broken man complete-
And showed me the way to jump in the hole, and guide the others out of defeat!
Yes, I graduated and He gave to me-Eternal Life when I was dead…
Now everyday is made brand new-in the School of God’s Grace Again!!! 🙂

Yes, Dear world, on His time-He made my dream come true!!! 🙂

*PRAISE HIM*

Being in love with love
It first starts within
Being in love with self
Then with strangers, family and friends
Learning to love yourself even
When in doubt
Learning to stand alone while figuring everything out
Healing from traumas that others may not know
Stepping into your purpose
Doing your part, so that more love in the world can grow
Being in love with love is spreading peace, happiness and positivity
Being in love with love is loving others outside of me
Being in love with love is loving all……unconditionally
This is the biggest lesson I’ve learned and wanted to share
That no matter what we go through in life
Still show someone else love, and that you’ll always be there
Someone else may have it worse than you
Someone else may need the strength that lives inside of you
So showing love even when you don’t feel it
Is the best healing that you can do
Being in love with love is understanding that within you is where it begins
I am in love with love
Because I know now that in a world full of hurt, evil and pain……..
Spreading love is the only true way we all can win.

I’ve had a few dreams already come true, but some I’m still working on. But with hard work and dedication, I’m sure I’ll make it happen. My most recent dream that came true, was being featured in a best seller’s book.

Growing up, I always used to read the, Chicken Noodle Soup For The Soul books. They were books made for kids, teenagers, adults, pretty much for anyone who enjoyed them.

They had inspirational stories, poems and sometimes even songs written in them from real people and their real life experiences. True stories. I loved reading them whenever I was down, upset or just needed something to lift my spirits. Those stories of others always inspired me in some ways. Ways that helped me understand that whatever I was facing at the moment, others had gone through them too, if not sometimes worse. But somehow, those whose story I was reading, they made it out on the other side of whatever it was that they were facing. Which gave me hope and strengthen my faith that I would too.

After reading those books, I always dreamed of being featured in one of those books. So that I could tell my story just like they did, and inspire others, just like how they inspired me. I just didn’t know how I could make that happen. I didn’t give up, I just was unsure of how it would happen.

Until one day, while strolling through Facebook, I saw an ad for a writing contest for a website called Unsealed. At first, I thought that it’s just a chance to write and release some of the things that I needed to release as while starting my healing journey. But then I saw and realized that it was so much more. That it’s a community of people, writers, artists, friends to share their stories and also listen to each other, to uplift one another. Which I love. Not to mention, my story that I shared would be featured in a book. A book that is very similar to the books that I read and wanted so badly to be a part of. It wasn’t that exact book, but still my dream of my story being shared in a book, for a chance to be read by someone that could also inspire them……. My dream finally came true.

I do wish to do more, because I have a lot of stories to share. I want to take this time to thank everyone involved in the creation and success of The Unsealed community/website/books. You’ve helped me continue to do the work necessary for my healing journey, and you helped me make one of my dreams come true all while being introduced to some amazing people that I too can learn from. Sharing our stories in love and showing true compassion towards one another. See, dreams really do come true. True Story.

His right eye twitching,
That side smile brimming,
His urge to compete is a hungry feeling,
To gain greater Knowledge,
Produce more Excellence,
And be of great Service.

Be it second or third fourth or sixth,
He was first once but I plead the fifth,
Strong and Steadfast, that sounds like a myth,
Strove for Integrity, what a giff,
I am proud of his Assiduity,
Just like that time at the spelling bee.

Standing up that stage felt like finding a master key,
Though it would take a millennium for a win.
The hunger was there, fighting and yearning to be free.
Sadly the good foods were present where the eyes could see.

Despite the new size and no picks at football,
He won more accolades and kept walking tall,
In Shakespeare, he’s Shy-of-luck (Shylock) of the Venetian Merchant,
Then as a Thai King (King & I) asking for a dance, “oh perchance!”
With a high school year always being in the middle,
‘Til the last year where he stopped being second fiddle.

Full of stories of day and a different outlook,
Someone told him to settle down and write a book,
With his love of movies with monsters and fighters,
He picked the pen and wrote a hero-themed tiger.
He turned a weakness into a great strength,
He hated poems but now look at his depth.
If I haven’t said it yet, but now in front of this crowd,
From the very bottom of my heart, I am very proud.

Dear little Antoinette,

We are on a trip down memory lane. While I thought I was just planning a trip to show our family where life started, you were planning a healing adventure. We’ve cried a lot. We hung out a lot. And we’ve gotten to know each other better.

I loved letting you lead as our children got to meet your carefree spirit. Swinging from ropes to drop into the very cold springs, canoeing down the peaceful river, jumping off platforms! Making core memories with our babies on the swings right outside of our cabin in the woods. Showing our husband the fearlessness within on hikes through the wilderness.

I know leaving was hard, and you didn’t understand why we had to go and you hadn’t a say so. Thank you for allowing me to meet you at our old house and console your pain. Seeing you jumping up and down, scream “Why did we leave?” Was heartwrenching. Yet, wrapping my arms around you as you sobbed, in the most healing way was the absolute highlight of this journey. Despite spending the majority of our lives in South Florida, North Florida is and will forever be home; I know that now. Soon enough we will be back home. Patiently waiting is one thing we find challenging, however, if you allow me to take the lead we will be back!

You are so brave! You are so carefree! You are so fearless! You are so adventurous! You are so authentically you! I’m so grateful to have spent this time together, and to have introduced you to my family! Thank you for reminding me of who we are at the core. What you have done for me is honestly indescribable! Now, what I will do for you is, set you free!

I love you always!
Forever – Me