As you read this story, you will believe that you know the family portrayed in it, because these types of events occurred throughout the South with results that were not always positive, but that is not the case in my life.  Against the odds, I am a happily married woman with a wonderful husband of more than thirty years with the blessing of nine amazing children as I write this story.  I am very aware that this is not the typical scenario of most illegitimate children born in poverty-stricken areas and I am so thankful for the outcome.  Psychologists say that your core personality is set by the age of six, which is my exact age when everything in my life suddenly turned up side down.  My wish is that my story will inspire you to look beyond your circumstances and achieve all of the desires, hopes, and expectations you have dreamed and believed for your life.