It all began in the year of nineteen fifty six in a small town called Gallatin, Tennessee. During the early years of my life, I lived with my Great Grandmother and my Uncle. We lived on a farm in Odom Bend. It was there that I learned valuable lessons from my great grandmother. Family values along with good work ethics were instilled in me as young girl. The many things that I experienced and learned have shaped my true character and I reflect on those things often. I value the small things in life more than the big things. Something as simple as the sun shining through my window that wakes me from a good sleep reminds me of my days on that farm. When I hear the sounds of birds chirping it lets me know that it is time to start my day. I value the simple sound of the rain hitting the gutters because it brings back memories of being on the farm. I guess I am just a simple, country girl that enjoys the little things that others may take for granted. During the many transitions of my life I have long aspired to have a life of love, joy and peace. I was certain that my foundation was quite strong, but I often doubted myself. I left the country farm life and went to live with my mother in the city. I entered into what I thought was a different world. I was still a simple little country girl that was faced with a very different way of living. The bright lights in the big city caught my attention. I felt the freedom from the sound of the music that was playing when walking down the street. The laughter of the people, and the way they looked; deep down inside as a young girl I wanted to be just like them. I struggled to adjust with this transition and lack of a transitional period. I had to get in where I didn't quite fit in. As a teenager I was lead astray by what I have learned to be my doubtful way of thinking, my lack of confidence, low self-esteem and the many pressures within my environment. I began to have conflicts with people in school, family members, and people in my community. I was acting out and this caused problems with my relationship with my mother. We seemed to have the most conflict. I was growing up too fast is what I was often told. I felt I was just having fun with the people I thought to be my friends. Soon my life took another turn. I became impregnated at the age of thirteen and gave birth to my son. Becoming a mother at a young age took a toll on my life. It was a major event that caused me to spiral out of control. I didn't have the tools to be a good mother at that time. It was a difficult time for me as well as my family. We have a huge situation to deal with. I knew I was absolutely no help financially or emotionally and this added to the stress I was already running from. I loved my son from the first time I felt him kicking in the womb, but that wasn't enough to over turn what was going on inside me. My issues had become so deep that I became disconnected with my foundation. My mother took on responsibility for my son and I turned to a life of turmoil that continued for more than twenty five years. The street life is what I turned to. With no education I built relationships with people that knew the tricks of the trade. I shared an odd bond with these people since I was able to relate to them because of similar issued we shared. I was running in search o something I had no way of recognizing. I felt that if I run away from my problems I wouldn't have to face them. I was literally losing control of what I have known and valued about myself. I never completely loss touch with what shaped my true character, but it was getting harder for me to focus on the little things that brought me joy. I was going through so much at such a young age. I was doing what I had to do to just make it from day to day. The lifestyle I lived none of this was taught to me at home. I didn't even like to drink to get drank! Drugs came along. Then I began to look dirty, and didn't lik