To God, my Lord and Savior for your grace, mercy and gifts.  To God be the all the glory.

To my husband, my daughter and my son, who are and will always be my constant inspiration.  I love you both. To my mother, whose tireless love and dedication ensured the foundation that makes this possible. Your dreams deferred have been realized.

 

To the souls of the past that are part of my DNA, my ancestors. I am the depository of a lifetime of aspirations and defeats, challenges and triumps. All that I am is a result of all that you dreamed.  I pray I have fulfilled your hopes.

 

To my siblings, extended family, in-laws, my dearest friends and those I met along the way who loved me, I love you all for helping me to mold the essence of my being in the comfort of your love.

 

The collection offered represents sentiments from the perspective of those touched by a Soldier.  From the mother who gives them birth, to the child they bring into the world, the family and friends, the neighbors and every AMERICAN affected by the story and the sacrifice of the Soldier.  This is for all of you and for the Soldier in the dark and silence of the night, to let them hear and feel from those around them. These are the Realities of a Soldier at War.