I must say they really have some good doctors and nurses here. I'm only sorry I had to get pregnant then get sick to come this far away from home to decide to make a change in my life.

I've come to realize that there are some really terrific people on the outside world. Once you get out of the old rat race you're living in and start meeting new people you'll be surprised at what you can accomplish in life.

I always thought I was too shy to communicate with other people other than the bad crowd I was accustomed to back in Danville.

Since being here in Charlottesville this last past year, I know now that in order to achieve your goals in life you have to speak up for what you want, pray and believe, and you'll be surprised what happens next.

I came to this city with $40.00 and nothing but the clothes on my back. I was sick, afraid and pregnant, and about to lose my baby.

After being told that the drugs, alcohol and the company I was keeping back in Danville was about to cost me my life and my son's life it was then that I decided to change my life around for the better.

I'm glad I made that change because today I no longer drink or do drugs. My life now is so much better.

I have my own apartment. I manage my money better, I now know the meaning of responsibility and I take better care of my body.

All these things came to be only because I chose to live my life in a better atmosphere and meet better people.

I now believe that a person can overcome any obstacle once you put your best foot forward, pray and believe in your heart that that's something you really want to do.

Giving up is not the answer when you're face to face with what may seem like the worst. Giving up only means you'll never know what good lies ahead in life for you.

I would never have thought I would be the person I am today, doing the things in life I do now like going to school, taking care of my 9 mo. old son, keeping up an apartment and managing my money for things worthwhile.

All these achievements make me feel good about myself.

In bringing my story to an end I would just like to say this, when life for some reason seems to be going down hill and you feel like there's no end to your problems here's a good piece of advice from someone who's been down that rough and rocky road.

All you have to do is sit back and think to yourself which direction you should go.

Plant your feet on solid ground. Pray and believe, have faith in yourself and God, and God will guide you in the right direction, the rest is up to you. If it worked for me, I'm sure it'll work for you!

I had a dream I moved back to Connecticut, to see my Mom and Dad, my brother and sisters, and my friends. When my family found out that I had a G.E.D., they were so proud that I went back to school.

First, I thought I wouldn't conquer my goals for the future. I thought the bad things from when I was a child, were going to happen over again. They thought I wouldn't have a future because of my disability.

Now, I have a tutor. She helps me to conquer goals toward my future to get a good job, to take responsibility, disability or not, to work toward my dreams.

When I lived in my grandmother's house, we had lots of animals. There were some that belonged to us and some that belonged in the woods. Once we had a bird in the kitchen. I don't know how it got in the house, but it happened twice. The second time it happened, the bird was in the dining room closet.

Another time we had a possum in the house. The possum would only come out at night. My mother would hear it crawling about at night. When she got up and turned on the lights, it would hide, so she would turn out the lights and go back to bed. Then, the possum would come out again. My mother and the possum continued this way for several nights.

However, one morning we found him sitting on a shelf. You have to realize we were scared to death of the thing. It would hiss and growl when we walked by. We dared not try to get the possum out ourselves. It didn't stay on the shelf very long. Instead it crawled under my mother's bed. Finally, we called someone and he got rid of it.

Still, another time we had a black snake in our house. It was in the hallway to be exact. We had just come home from church and I was on my way to my room. That was when I saw the snake. My mother was in the dining room fixing a sandwich, when I ran by her, noting that there was a snake in the hallway. My mother is more scared of snakes than I, so it is no surprise that we all ran out of the house, like chickens.

At first we were going to try and kill it, but it crawled behind one of the huge china cabinets. The only thing left to do was set off some of those bug foggers. Before we could do that, though, we had to get all the food and the newborn kittens out of the house. We had been planning to have a relaxed Sunday afternoon!

I have lots of memories of our cats and dogs. We have always had lots of cats. I believe cats and mayhem go together. Two of our tomcats, Big T and Goldie, fought terribly. Goldie would climb the tree that was next to the house to escape. Although that didn't stop Big T. Sometimes, in the middle of the night, you could hear them fighting on the roof. It was quite odd. Once, when my uncle lived with us, he was going to get gas and he didn't realize the cat was on the truck. We didn't find the cat until he was at the gas station. Thankfully, the cat wasn't hurt. My uncle put the cat in the truck and got his gas.

Most of my memories of our dogs have to do with the cats. Our little dog, Roni, loves kittens. She especially likes to play with them. Well, we had a litter of kittens that were born outside, but we couldn't find them. Roni found them. My mother had let Roni outside, but she was ready to come back in. Mom opened the door and with astonishment found a tiny kitten looking at her. Eventually, we found the rest of the kittens and brought them with their mother inside.

I have lots of memories of my childhood and Christmasses past, but the most memorable ones are of the animals. We have always had lots of animals. They definitely add humor and liveliness to my family's life.

The doctors said I'm lucky to be alive. I'm grateful to be alive. Now I live in Fluvanna County and pray that I never take that ride again.

Next I walked down to the boat dock and went as long as it went until I came to the end. Then all of a sudden it took me by surprise. My feet went down. I was off of the boat dock. I couldn't swim, so I stepped up on a clump of grass and called for help. My brother took off his shoes and socks. Then he jumped in and brought me back to shore. I couldn't get back in the car because my clothes were wet. My uncle and my brother let us ride in his car. Afterwards when we got back home they wouldn't let us go back to the river again. She wouldn't help me. She would have let me drown. So that's how I almost became a victim to the rivers wrath.

In Texas the time is only one hour earlier. You would think that it is not that much difference, but it is. I went to bed at ten o'clock in Texas, since we moved here it is eleven o'clock.

The land, weather, and beaches are all different. The part of Texas that I'm from, the land is flat and mostly piney woods. Here the mountains are beautiful. We left the full force of hurricanes for the sparkling white snow and fresh air. The beaches are beautiful in Texas, but the sand is gray because of the oil. Beaches here have gorgeous white sand.

I will always love Texas just as it is. But Virginia is where my life is now, and I plan on being here for a long, long time.

When we went out, we couldn't find the car. We walked around until we found it in the parking lot of the next building. Coming out of the parking lot Rosa said to turn right, but I turned left. Finally, we got on the right road home.

Rosa asked me how I liked the party. I said it was a really nice party. We want to go back again next year.

I have had some sad, sad times in my life. Today I call my sad times trials and tribulations. I have been sick most of my life. I would like to compare my body and illnesses with the working of a car, as I think of the illness I've had and still have. I've had seizures, nervous breakdowns, rickets and spouse abuse. I have high blood pressure and arthritis. My body was formed and created by God. With the illness I have my body goes through a lot of wear and tear. My body is made up of different parts. When they can't function well, they will need medicine, a doctor's care, or parts replaced.

The car, made by man, goes through a lot of wear and tear. Like the body, it will need replacement parts. Also, when everything else fails on the car you can buy another.

The brain has to function properly like the engine of a car. In order for the human body to be in control it has to be in good working condition. The car engine has to be working properly to give good service. The car engine, like my body, will need to go to the service station after climbing hills and driving over long rocky roads. The car engine will need an overhaul also.

When I had seizures and the nervous breakdown, both left me with a brain disorder. My mind didn't function right. The seizures, I had as a child. I never had a seizure away from home. I took medication twice a day. I outgrew my seizures while in high school With the nervous breakdown I was put in the mental hospital twice, in 1974 and 1994. I take medication and will be on it the rest of my life. The nervous breakdown was a long and drawn out battle. I am still fighting that battle. I went to God for my overhaul after going through all this with the brain, believing that God could help me through this illness with faith and prayer.

The heart goes through a lot of phases. Heart trouble, heartache, and heartbreak. Spouse abuse and heartbreak remind me of the battery in a car. The battery will give you service for a long time. Without warning, the battery will let you down at any time. The spouse abuse put me to my lowest point. The abuse put me through a lot of heartbreak. I wondered how my husband could abuse me if he loved me the way he said he did. After an ordeal like this heartbreak, I went to my family and friends for support and love. The car will need to go to Western Auto for a new battery after being let down at any time.

Rickets was a bone disease I had as a child. The rickets was like the tires of a car. The car tires going flat will need air or a new tire to get going again. The rickets was a bone disease from not getting enough calcium. I had an operation at ten years old on my right leg. I had to learn to walk all over again with therapy. Without all four tires being good the car can't go anywhere.

Arthritis over the whole body is like the joints of a car. My joints, when stiff and paining, I rub with Ben Gay or I take Extra Strength Tylenol. If all else fails, I take the injection. The car after squeaking will need a bit of oil for the joints. The oil comes in mighty handy.

The overweight and high blood pressure I am still working with. They both are like the car that uses gasoline. They keep going for a refill when empty.

I am thankful for my doctors. Each one has played a great part in my health. God is joy. Enjoy whatever you set out in life to do. "There is a Bright Side Somewhere!" Do not rest until you find it. "There is a Bright Side Somewhere!"

My name is Linda and I'm an alcoholic. I started in my early school years. Yeah, the good old days! If I only knew then what I know now, I wouldn't be here writing this, for I know I wasted my education. I wanted to make something of myself. See, I have had this dream of writing a book, and I'm going to make that dream come true. I want and I will succeed in making something of myself. I want a good clean life and I will get my G.E.D.; that is what I call positive thinking!

I didn't know life could be this good. Well, I knew it had to be better than drinking alcohol, or as I would say "my bottle," or "my friend," heck, even "my partner," and believe me that is no life.

I have a lot to be thankful for, the support of my family and some good friends. I had a lot of support, and having faith in God and in myself. They were there when I needed them, and they are still supporting me. I'm lucky to have them around me, because each day it's like a new experience; that is why I have to take one day at a time.

You know you can do it, too, if you really want it; no one can do it for you! I have to be honest, if it weren't for the strength of my God supporting me, and holding on to the faith, I can honestly say, "I wouldn't be here." I stuck right in there with my Higher Power, God.

I am proof. I'm sober, I help my family, I'm going to school, and I did take care these beautiful old ladies, a mother and daughter who just recently passed away.

Oh! Yeah, I have become like a Nanny to several children, that I watch sometimes. So you see, I'm living proof, there is life after the booze. I can see clearly and am able to walk straight with my head held high. My life has changed and it is still changing. To be honest, I can't wait for other changes ahead of me.

I have learned a lot since my illness, but there is still more room to learn, explore, and seek out. It's like being born again, I've been given another chance; it's like seeing a movie, that you have seen, and you know how it's going to end. Except in my movie I don't know how it will end. See, my movie has many parts or chapters.

My life, in general, has been a struggle, a struggle to make the best of my self that I can. Everyone else can too. You have to want it, then go for it. Honestly, what good would it be if life and opportunity were just handed down to you on a silver platter? There are people who would love to live like that, but with the will of God and my strength, I will not!

I would like to thank my teachers, especially Judy, who is encouraging me to seek my dream. She said that only I could succeed in making this into reality, and not a dream. I heard that somewhere before, Martin Luther King. I have another special teacher, her name is BJ.

BJ, she is something else. She has helped me a lot, too. I really have enjoyed coming to school, I'm learning more about patience for myself, by watching and listening to the teachers. In fact my teacher said she is getting gray fast, I made a joke and said, "Well, I know what to get you for Christmas."

No, jokes aside, I'm really excited about going back to school. I want to further my education. I want to feel equal to others, to feel I can contribute in society.

I love to write, that is my freedom, to be creative. See, I have been scared to face the unknown, I have been scared to have to face the known. I take care of myself, as I take one day at a time.

This story is really true! I'm 68 years old and I can remember it like the day it happened! It's mighty lucky that all of us were alive!

Then, one night, he changed. He wasn't the loving, caring man I had just met. He turned into a monster. I was stunned after it was over, and cried. He didn't say a word, and left. I could see his face in my tears as they fell. I knew, then, that I had to work on making him happy.

The next day he apologized for the horrible incident, and we forgot it ever happened. We started talking about our dreams and our future together. I was so happy.

Then there was another incident. He drove away. I knew my life with him was over. All of my dreams, with him, were shattered.

She got sick, and in about two weeks she passed away at her home.

Yet, there are the not-so-good times or memories that we can't forget even though they anger or haunt us. These memories can teach us and our children.

Now married for six years to my second wife and high-school sweetheart, we both have a lot of memories of our childhood and teenage years.

I remember our first kiss (Oh, boy!) and the night we broke up, and the wedding we had after fifteen years of not knowing if each other even existed. We both are now a whole lot happier with our new life and grandchildren.

My wife and I still wonder about old friends and where they are. The ones we have found we communicate with and visit as much as possible.

I'll never forget the Fall of '95. I was working in the yard, when a car started skidding and then came to a stop with a crunching noise. Not knowing what I might find, I jumped in my truck and flew up my driveway to find a small brown car wrapped around a tree. After calling 911 from a neighbor's house, I went back to the scene to find an old friend with serious injuries to the head. Standing by, and watching a friend take his last breath, knowing you or anyone else can't help, is a memory I hope no one ever has to go through.

That's why I try to remember the good and happy memories. Still, don't forget the not-so-good ones because they could save your, or a loved one's, life. Let memories be a learning experience.

There was one old woman who was born on April 30, 1893. She lived ninety-seven years and died in 1990. She was my Grandmother.

She taught me values such as love, respect, to work, to cook, not to steal, to help someone without charging for it, and many other values.

Many people of today do not have or use those values, but they are so important.

He walked in very slow.
He did not know where to go.
The teacher met him at the door.
She said come on in
And stay a while.
It seems like he had walked a mile.

Then she asked him his name.
He said it very low.
She said just a little louder
With a smile.
She told him her name
And then things changed.
It was A, B, C and 1, 2, 3 and
He wondered what else could
Happen to him.

Reading, Writing was fine.
Language, Math was too.
Literature, Science, Social Studies
Was hard. He did not know what to do.

Thanks to God, my family and my friends
This little boy is back again.

And my Grandma was the greatest cook. I loved her homemade biscuits. She used her hands to make up the dough, rolled it into balls and then pressed them out with the back of her fingers.

Now my Grandma is not strong but very frail, because of crippling arthritis. The simplest things are so hard. She can't cook because she can't turn on the stove. Nowadays just to walk from the livingroom to the kitchen takes her 20 minutes. She gave up washing clothes about 6 years ago because it was just too hard on her. And to pull a match from a matchbook, she can't. To thread a needle is too hard. And now that I think about how many outfits she made me. And now she just sits in the kitchen most of the time, and she used to do so much.

Now when I go to visit, just hearing her bones crack and rub together makes my heart break, knowing she was so strong and now she is so weak.

Questions and comments to Susan Erno