OLD REMNANTS-NEW BUDS chronicles Ayers' early traumatic life and later transformational journey to healing and freedom. Through the support of loved ones, pets, relatives, friends, therapists, professionals and her own spiritual path, Ayers gradually heals, becomes more integrated and whole, and opens to Joy and Presence. Modern brain research shows that early life trauma and neglect change the brain and fragments us, making it more difficult to know who we are. We might not even know where we are in relationship to our surroundings. Our coping skills are compromised, as well as our ability to focus and maintain loving and supportive relationships. We can suffer from intermittent or chronic depression, give up on ourselves, acquiesce, become shame based or forget to care for ourselves. Through this book of poetry, prose and art, we are shown that we don't have to be victimized by our past or stuck in old and limiting patterns. We can move from struggle to ease, and from limited beliefs and concepts to ultimate freedom.