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                     I’ve always found solace in the written word. As a little girl I remember feeling my emotions so deeply, but not knowing how to best express myself. I buried feelings deeply and they sat neglected for years. When I turned 10 years old I discovered the art of creative writing. I remember reading a Dr. Seuss book and deciding to create my own poem of silliness and wonder. Within minutes I had stanzas of make-believe creatures that were other worldly. On some level I believe I wrote that poem to escape into a carefree and forgiving galaxy far beyond the world I lived in.

                    Poetry provided healing properties in seasons of pain and excitement in the daily mundane. As time passed I found that what I had been buried started rising to the surface. My writing became more of a self-guided therapy. I began sharing my writing with a select few over the years. There were occasions when I would write with such intimate detail and give it to an acquaintance in need of encouragement. I felt true empathy for that person not knowing fully what they were facing at that time. It was as if I knew the map of their heart and wrote healing words meant just for them.

                      Little Hope Notes is like an exploration of my own heart and soul. I delve into the deep parts of myself–my past pain–and write to an audience of strangers. What would I have wanted to hear when I was a lonely teenager, a discouraged new mom, a suicidal young adult, and a discouraged friend? Those are the places I write from. I hope that these canvases painted with the written word bring comfort to you. My prayer is that they meet you on the level of your need. You matter. You are worth every minute I take to write to you.

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