Dear Sister: I am compelled--no obliged to share my story. In the beginning, I was like the average, healthy, 15 year old girl, from the outside anyway. I had secrets, a treasured teddy bear, loved dogs and gorillas, fought with my mom sometimes, knew how to use my dad to get what I wanted, and I was in love. But inside my head, hidden to others, was my biggest challenge which slowly reveals itself. It wasn't until after my plans came crashing down in front of the boy I wanted, the kids at school, my family, my community-everyone--that I made an even bigger mistake. It's also how I got here, a place foreign to most. I had gifts just like every other person on this planet, but I didn't use them the way they were intended. So, when you read about my actions to win his love and learn about the gifts people gave me along the way that I abused, I urge you to read it with no judgments on me or other girls like me. I realize I made bad choices, and I own the outcome. I get it. But I also know that I was fighting a battle with something bigger than me at the time, and that fueled poor choices. So, let's say we look at each other like a group of sisters who love, laugh, and cry together, but most importantly-we support each other. With that said-enjoy this tale as I peel the layers of my hidden thoughts to discover how my uniqueness and others' kindness can be used to create a place we all want to live. Sincerely, Indigo