What doesn't kill us only makes us stronger!!!

As a young girl growing up my father was a regional manager for Wicks Lumber Co. We moved around in the LA area to San Antonio, TX, back to California by way of a small city called Visalia, half way between Fresno and Bakersfield. I grew up surrounded by contractors and construction workers. In 1970 my father started his own lumber company called Rebel Lumber (as in Rebel without a cause). I was able to work in the family business, continue my education in fashion designing and traveling with the US Baton Twirling Team through out the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe. In 1988 my brother and I took over the lumber company and transformed the lumber company into a fencing company. In 2004 my brother passed away of a brain tumor, at the age of 43. My whole world turned upside down, leading me down a new path. My husband of 24 years on 12-31-09 started his own fencing company called the Fence Doctor. I went to work for our CPA firm as the new office manager. My two beautiful grown boys stayed close to home and continue to go to college, while helping us heal our wounds.

I broke my foot (5th metatarsol bone) in March 2009. I was unable to walk for 3 three months. So my husband and sons had to do everything for me for three months. I was faced with a lot of down time and discovered American Idol contestants on YouTube. That lead me to this amazing young man called Clay Aiken. Which lead me to Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and now the OFC. I have discovered how to blog, post and read threads for the first time!

I always believe that everything happens for a reason, we don't always like it or understand it, but we must learn to accept it and move on. With the help of friends and loved ones and now Clay's example of hearing the music in your life, no matter how rocky the road gets, I am able to pick up the pieces and move on to a better place where i can let my spirit soar! Thanks so much for letting me share my story.