General Information: Candidreams: I Remember the Beginning is a collection of individual poems woven together to tell a story. Like getting two books in one, readers can read the book cover to cover for the story. The reader can then peruse the individual poems according to their mood, situation or day. I call Candidreams: I Remember the Beginning my "wake up call" or my "discovery" book. As a young adult, I sadly find myself in a spiritually dark and desolate place...one not reflective of the manner I was raised and not reflective of my gifts and potential. I am desperate to recall exactly what happened to me, of all the horrible situations I endured, what changed me from an innocent young girl so full of hopes and dreams to one governed by sadness and despair. I revisit my childhood to discover when and how did this darkness overtake me. Back Cover Information: Candidreams presents a collection of poems chronicling author Candie Ferald's faith and determination not to allow negative circumstances to define her. Though raised in the church, Ferald feels God's unconditional love has somehow bypassed her. Angered by some of the situations of her young life-including death, painful relationships and parental issues-she quickly discovers how to escape herself through sex and drugs. She soon finds herself on the edge of self-destruction, and in this state, she promises her dying grandfather that she will reclaim her life. As she begins that process, Ferald is extremely candid in retelling both the hopeful and tragic events of her journey. We have all had daunting experiences that have challenged our faith and dreams, and we all possess the tools to rise from these traumatic situations. Candidreams offers an inspiring, yet sometimes emotionally difficult collection of poems that follows Candie Ferald as she returns to her former self-or perhaps an even better one. "Do you know how it feels to want something so bad that not having it makes you depressed and sad? Unfulfilled desires and ignored needs, craving so much you can't even see. What happens to those whose dreams never fly? Does all that's real and sincere in them die?" -excerpt from "The Beginning of Darkness" "I knew it would be devastating. I could feel it in my soul. But only from my Mama's lips could I believe what I was told." -excerpt from "The March from March '94" "I have nothing to lose but what I have not had at all. What good is life if I don't fall? Then I can't get up-" -excerpt from "Duality" Although this book is spiritual in nature, there is some material that may NOT be suitable for children.