People say I inspire them, but I'm not sure why; I am a young girl from the hood who made it out. I don't consider myself to have all the answers. My childhood life was hell from as far back as I can remember. By the age of fi ve years old, I had been exposed to homelessness and child molestation. I was placed in foster care and four diff erent living situations (from one home to another), in and out of the court system, exposed to child protection agencies, missing my father who was in prison, and dealing with my mother who was in and out of jail as well as addicted to crack cocaine and men who were no good for her. As far as I can remember, this was my life before kindergarten. I have lived through life's many struggles and persevered through every storm that blew my way. I am writing this story to inspire you. As you are going through your storms, let my stories of triumph and encouragement minister to your spirit and give you the strength to fi ght through any given situation (molestation, rape, failure, death, legal problems, horrifi c home situations, problems at work, fi nancial woes, and any given burden). I challenge you to lay them down one by one and press forward to become a stronger you. I hope that you become motivated with every scripture and quote. Do not let the statistics in society that condemn you to fail defi ne you. It is my prayer that you can keep moving forward and see the light at the end of the tunnel. I want you to know it is not where you start but how you fi nish. Not everyone is equal, as we are born into circumstances beyond our control. Some of us have more advantages than others do, whether it is better homes and cars, better parents, or ideal living situations. Like a deck of cards, some of us get the ace of spades and some get the joker. Life is not an even playing fi eld; the cards you're dealt may not be the ones you desire, but if you keep playing your hand you could still win the game. It is what you do with your situation that counts. Don't throw in your hand and quit the game. Play it to the best of your ability. Allow your struggles to make you a stronger and better you. God will not place more on you than you can bear. I would not be the woman I am today if God had not allowed me to go through the hurt and pain of my past. I overcame many obstacles and persevered to become a full-time working mother of fi ve who earned a BA, an MA, an EdS, and a doctoral degree-all by twenty-seven years old-and I was a school administrator by thirty. People tell me that I inspire, motivate, and encourage students, teachers, administrators, and everyday people who hear my story to not give up. I am living proof that you should not give in to statistics that say you will not amount to anything because of the cards of life dealt to you. I have been in education for fi fteen years. I enjoy working with alternatively educated, underprivileged, incarcerated and at-risk youth. I am qualifi ed to give my knowledge and expertise because my life speaks for itself. I have witnessed what inspiration and motivation can do for children who have lost all hope or never once believed. Th is is my story: Th e Cards of Life. When all hope is gone, trust then believe."