There are moments in our lives, those innocent fragments of our souls, that leave indelible marks on our conscience. How we interpret these moments determines our quality of character and shapes the world around us. The ability to harness these raw emotions is not easily accomplished save for a rare handful. Even harder is the ability to translate them into words. Leaving Home is an exposition of the human condition. An emotional rollercoaster spanning the loss of loved ones, acclimation to life in the military, to the power of faith. Award winning poet Randal A. Burd, Jr. takes the reader through all his life has produced and exposes himself in ways so few of us are willing to do. Inspired by real life events and crafted into memorable prose sure to evoke an emotional response, Leaving Home takes the reader on a journey through the world. There will be tears, the sudden burst of laughter, and a warm smile lingering on your face like the glow of a fading summer day as you discover the truth of what it means to love, lose, and live. Leaving Home is a must read that will leave you inspired and in search of your own special moments. -- Christian Warren Freed, 2020