Denise Cassino – We’re finally getting winter in Colorado! Snow most days for the last week and a half- but I’m not complaining – it’s bringing much needed moisture. Our little candytufts are poking their lacy heads skyward and the anemones are proudly displaying their lavender petals – spring must be near! Happy Mother’s Day everybody!

Amy S. Pacini – May is a beautiful month to recognize and honor all the wonderful women in our lives as we celebrate Mother’s Day. Mothers are natural caregivers who gently guide us and patiently perform selfless acts of love, kindness, and compassion. They generously offer a helping hand, comforting shoulder, listening ear, warm hug, and beaming smile to everyone around them. Whether they are near or far, show your love and appreciation for your mother with a phone call, surprise visit, special dinner, flower bouquet or a heartfelt card. In remembrance of mothers who are no longer with us, we honor their cherished memories and beloved spirits which shall always dwell in our hearts. Let us also reverently pay homage to our U.S. soldiers on Memorial Day who died serving our country.

Linda Barnett-Johnson – Linda lost her beloved sister to a sudden health event and is trying to adjust. Keep her in your prayers.

Denise Cassino – Happy New Year! I love when the year rolls over and we all start fresh! It even seems to look different outside, all bright and shiny. Each day grows a minute longer and spring seems just around the corner. Have a great writing year!

Amy S. Pacini – Over the Christmas holidays, I enjoyed a fun and relaxing vacation with family and friends in the snow belt of Western New York. Now, I am back in sunny Florida and ready to begin a brand new year in 2011. The new year is a time for refreshing resolutions, renewed hope, overflowing joy, and universal peace. It is a time to transform trials into triumphs, stumbling blocks into stepping stones, confusion into clarity, and incredible ideas into ingenious innovation. It is a time for discovering new opportunities, setting achievable goals, striving toward spectacular success, and daring to live our dazzling dreams. As we enter 2011, let us enthusiastically emerge forth with perceptive purpose, creative courage, and artistic ardor. I look forward to receiving a creative cascade of inspiring poetry from our worldwide writers this year. Wishing you all a happy, healthy and prosperous new year!

My friend, Nadia Sahari has written a poignant and heart-wrenching book about surviving abuse and never losing hope, but instead thriving beyond surviving.

Nadia Sahari’s book, Breakaway: How I Survived Abuse is that book.

She says, "The experiences I share in this book are all true. For many years, I felt alone with my history of abuse and held my silence. I thought I was the only one who had experienced the traumatic abuses I describe here. Gradually and cautiously, in small groups and in speaking engagements, I began to share some of my experiences with other women. To my surprise, I found that many of them had been victims of sexual or physical assault as well. They often said, ‘Nadia, you went through so much. My life hasn’t been anything like yours, and yet I’ve struggled to cope. You’re such an inspiration to me! You should write a book. I’ll bet they make it into a movie.’

It’s available now – don’t miss it – it will inspire you and you won’t want to put it down – http://bit.ly/bwUdW6

My friend, Nadia Sahari has written a poignant and heart-wrenching book about surviving abuse and never losing hope, but instead thriving beyond surviving.

Nadia Sahari’s book, Breakaway: How I Survived Abuse is that book.

She says, "The experiences I share in this book are all true. For many years, I felt alone with my history of abuse and held my silence. I thought I was the only one who had experienced the traumatic abuses I describe here. Gradually and cautiously, in small groups and in speaking engagements, I began to share some of my experiences with other women. To my surprise, I found that many of them had been victims of sexual or physical assault as well. They often said, ‘Nadia, you went through so much. My life hasn’t been anything like yours, and yet I’ve struggled to cope. You’re such an inspiration to me! You should write a book. I’ll bet they make it into a movie.’

It’s available now – don’t miss it – it will inspire you and you won’t want to put it down – http://bit.ly/bwUdW6