I am grateful for the opportunity to tell my story, and to you, reader, for listening. It took me a great while to find the courage to put my experiences and the related emotions into words.
I believe that every one of us has a story to tell because our journeys are uniquely ours, and each season of our past shapes us and our future. Though no one can walk the same path you walk, the pain we feel – from rejection, abandonment, abuse, trauma, trials – is relatable across all walks of life.
My journey is one of pain but also healing. There were moments in my life when nothing around me reflected the dreams that God had put in my heart for a better life, a life where I could live in peace, purpose, and joy. One could say this is a story about a girl living in South Africa, hoping that America’s legend as a place of possibility was true. Ultimately, this is a story of forgiveness, restoration, and finding joy on the other side of pain.
I dedicate this book to my unborn child. I hope one day when my son or daughter reads this book, they will know that obstacles, pain, and failures are part of life, but they do not control our future. I pray that my child, and you, dear reader, never stop believing in even the most seemingly impossible dreams. For it is our dreams and aspirations that give us the courage to face the fires of life.
