This book is in remembrance and dedicated to my grandmother, Marie Maddox. With my mother as a single parent, she helped to raise me and my brother. She was a classic example of how to succeed in life if you are in a relationship with God, and follow the path of living a righteous life. She was not perfect, but she was open about seeking God for forgiveness. One of the many things she taught me to never give up on my dreams. Born in the country outside of Villarica, Georgia she only had a 7th grade education. Yet, she grew up putting her trust in God. She started a vegetable store in Rome. After a while she was trained and became a hair dresser, very popular in her community. Later in life when she retired from fixing hair, she became a personal care giver; taking care of people in their home who could not take care of themselves. However, more than any of that, she was a devoted Christian and raised me and my brother after we lost our mother to lung cancer when we were young teenagers. We had always lived with her at her home. I saw her go through many trials and tribulations, but she always came out high spirited and encouraged. She only had two rules as she raised us: (1) You will go to church and participate in the youth programs, and (2) you will make good grades in school. If we came short of those two things we lost your privilege to do other things we enjoyed. She was a Missionary Christian. She gave of her time, money, and fix food for people who were less fortunate than others in our community. She prayed with us, for us and instilled in us that we could accomplish our goals if we only put God first in our life. Therefore I can say, "I am because she was". She set the example; encouraged us, inspired us, did all she could to help us find and fulfill our destiny. This book is simply the lessons I learned growing up under the tutelage of my dear grandmother.