At a very young age, Kayla is taken from her home due to her mother's drug abuse. Kayla is five years old when she and her two siblings are placed in foster care. She loses the connection to her biological family and learns to assimilate into the new family structure. Many years later, Kayla loses her job, self-worth, and almost her life, when she is brutally attacked and beaten by her boyfriend. In this story, Kayla has loved and lost in life, but none of these losses compares to the loss of one's mind. This story opens with Kayla having a mental break down. We are taken through the course of her fight to come to grips with life. Kayla discovers how one really can lose their most valuable asset--the mind--and more importantly, how one gains it back. This is a story to inspire all, but especially those who have ever wondered if life was worth living or have questioned their own will to live. ""Waking Up is truly a great book, a testimony of faith, hope, and courage. . . . Waking Up is about helping people realize their fullest potential and enjoy an abundant life. With that thought in mind, you can sleep with the anticipation of awaking to a new day."" --Charley Lane, Enal One Productions; Producer, Channel 36, CAN TV ""Chicago native, Creola Thomas, presents the rags-to-riches story of an urban girl, Kayla, bound for greatness amidst the storms and trials of life. A must-read "" --Raven Talley, Educator & Co-host of ""Author's Corner"" Creola Thomas was born and raised in Chicago's Cabrini Green housing complex and learned at a very early age that writing could be an outlet for expressing her hidden thoughts and feelings. She is the author of Sisters from Belzoni, which won the Columbia College ""Theodore Prize."" She earned a BA from Columbia College, master's degrees from Wheaton College and Northeastern University, and a doctorate from Calvary School of Ministry. Creola currently lives in Chicago with her daughter Hannah Hadiya Thomas.