When I think about a biography, I instantly think about important people; people whose names would be recognized by at least a small portion of the general public and most assuredly by their peers in a professional world.  I don’t fall into this category.

I was born the second child of five to Jewish parents in Brooklyn, N.Y.  The Brooklyn part is probably my one claim to fame, as I could use an entire page to name the famous people who were born in Brooklyn during the same time as me, the early 40’s.  For me, fame was just a dream in a little girl’s head… a little girl who daydreamed of being a movie star one day.  Those dreams gave me my one escape from the reality that was my childhood. 

My education ended with High School.  I married young and have been married to the same man for 50 years now.  Aside from my dream of acting, my greatest hope and prayer was to become a mother and that dream was fulfilled.  We have three wonderful children (all happily married), six fantastic grand-children, and one great-grandson whose smile could melt the hardest heart. 

Since the age of 12, I have been a babysitter, grocery store clerk, office assistant, retail sales-clerk, assistant store manager, procurement clerk, insurance secretary, insurance agent and saleswoman for items such as mobile homes, make-up, electronics and perfumes.

My most fulfilling position has been that of a volunteer fund raiser for the homeless, Jerry’s kids, and a few others.  Although my faith has always been important to me, over the last 6 and a half years, I’ve been actively involved.  As a result, I find myself surrounded by the loving arms of a huge extended family and volunteering in a different way.

Writing has been something that just sort of came to me.  My first story was one I had to write for 4th grade English, “The Writing on the Wall.”  I got an A and was so proud. The title is all I remember.  My few precious childhood possessions were carefully packed away in a small cardboard box and left at home where I thought it would be safe until my husband and I had a home of our own. My mom “accidentally” threw the box out with the trash.

Things I’ve written since then have all been purely on impulse at different times in my life, and the words came to me as quickly as a summer storm.  My Dad was a gifted writer and I used to wish I had his talent.  People tell me now that I did inherit his ability to put thoughts and feelings on paper and I lovingly now call that ability “Dad’s Gift.”  He was my hero. He was a man of great talent and self-learned knowledge.  He had many vices, and wasn’t the best father by the normal standards, but he knew the value of love and friendship and passed that on to me.

Many wonderful people have crossed my path in the last 60+ years.  Through their experiences and my own, I have found a way to share what I’ve learned with others.  I hope it will, in some small way, change at least one life, soften one heart and share the reality that nothing happens for the first time.  We can all relate to one another, and each one of us can make a difference in the lives of others.  A hug, a smile, a helping hand, one small gesture each and every day by every single one of us, can change the world.

Do I fit among the folks whose names and works appear on this website?  A few years ago, I would have said no.  Today, I think maybe I do.  It doesn’t take a degree or money in the bank to make one successful.  It takes the desire to be someone who truly cares about humanity and reaches out even in a small way to make a difference. With that thought in mind, I thank my dear friend, Dr. Dorree Lynn for opening the door for me to reach out beyond my humble abode to share my heart and soul with whomever my words may touch.