Prologue
"Catch" my Pop says as he throws the yellow tennis ball in my daughters direction. The wrinkles in the corner of his eyes more prominent as he grins at me when she finally catches the ball. We cheer and make a huge fuss, because for her this is a monumental moment; something she will remember. That is all you want for your children, happiness and laughter. To feel so loved they are full to the brim with it. That's what I want for my children anyway.
My life hasn't always been this carefree, this full of laughter.
There was a time when I feared I might not make it. This life I am experiencing now and the sense of peace I feel, I owe to two people; two people who took a chance on me and dragged me out of the darkness claimed me as their own. They made me believe in love. A love only a child can receive from a parent.
I don't like to think about the dark times at the beginning of my life and it may seem like a cliche to some.
But hey, how do you know where your going unless you know where you've been? Life can be so cruel at times but it doesn't have to make you a cruel person.
My name is Elouise Shepard and this is my story. It's not pretty, it's not glamorous, but it's mine, all mine, and that's all right.
I survived, I lived to tell my tale.
