The Story Behind This Book
I am a wife, a mother of a 17 month old, expecting number two in March, and a writer. Much of my nature poetry is a reflection of my childhood in CA, I was transplanted to ID as a teen and have remained ever since. I wrote poetry ever since I could I write. I used poetry as a self therapy. I grew up with a mentally ill mother who was very verbally and emotionally abusive. Writing was a way to express myself and to cope with the challenges I faced. I hadn't written poetry in many years, ever since I left home really. When I became pregnant with my son I was very fearful of the parent I would become. I was afraid of repeating the phrases and behaviors of my mother. As so many mothers say "because I said so" just as theirs said to them I was fearful of the things I could repeat. I realized that I still harbored much anger, hurt, and pain from this relationship. Although other toxic relationships followed after I feel my childhood was the root, the beginning, of my uncanny ability to attract toxic people to myself. I decided I had to do something to force a change before my son was born. I decided I should write again. After much self reflection I realized that I may not have allowed myself to fully express and heal from the pains of my past, and if I did I could heal. I could be the mother my son deserved. I so started writing again. Through The Trees is a healing process that follows the five stages of grief. I write mostly in nature metaphor, and unintentionally at first, this book actually follows a plot line. A person becomes lost in the woods, struggles to find their way out, and comes out the other side a changed person. Today, that is what I am, a changed person. I am healed. I have great hope that this book can serve as a guide for others who have the same challenge letting go of their past hurts. I hope that they can make their way out of the woods, finally able to see the forest Through The Trees.