My Story: the Pieces Come Together

This is not a story of overcoming adversity, but simply one of embracing change as an integral part of a full and happy life. It is the story of growing up in the Baltimore, Maryland suburb of Catonsville through the 40s and 50s, during a time in our history when family values and traditions were strong, into the turbulent 60s and 70s. Diary and journal writing for over 50 years, along with independent travel while living and working in Europe for the US Armed Forces, eased the transition through the many stages of the author's life. Moving towards retirement, the pieces began to take shape in quiet moments on a pastorial island in the Portuguese Azores that shared many of her treasured values of childhood.