Do you ever wonder what your purpose is in life? We all were created with a will to choose right from wrong. And we can make this a better place to live in or we can make it worse for ourselves and others. How are you doing by the choices you make?

When I am reminded about the young who suffered and still suffer from being homeless, or being treated worse than animals by parents/caregivers who are strung out on drugs, alcohol, or affected by greed, or pornography, or other destructive influences, I am heartbroken. So, I’m using my voice to suggest readers to check out the following...

The last 4 books I read (the first 3 were true, personal accounts) give vivid accounts of what it’s like to have abusive parents-which caused some to become addicted and /or homeless, or victims of horrible foster homes. They are Walking Beautiful by Jimmy Wayne, I Still Believe by Russ Taff, Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance, and Redeeming the Past by Seminole county writer of successful Christian romance novels, Linda Goodnight. (Taff’s story is available, free, on YouTube, and Vance’s story is being made into a movie).

Jimmy Wayne’s unbelievable journey includes just how cruel his mother was to him and how he ended up in foster care. When he became of age, he became a recording star, but he turned his back on that career and decided to raise national awareness of underage kids being released too soon from foster homes, by walking from Tennessee to Arizona (on foot). His action changed laws in some state to extend the age of 16 to 18, in order to be more apt to find work or even join the armed forces. His experience is hard to believe but was documented as true. (I found it hard to put the book down.)

Russ Taff incredibly overcame alcoholism after many years of relapses. His abusive, alcoholic dad was a pastor. His mother abused him badly and didn’t stop her husband from his fierce temper. Taff began drinking during his highly successful career singing with the Imperials, because he couldn’t stop the haunting memories of being told from the time he was 4, on through his teen years that he was worthless. After he’d win a Grammy award for his singing, he’d go back to his hotel room and drink because he thought it was a mistake to award him something he didn’t deserve. It took many years and relapses before he got the right help to get to the root of his problem. When he finally did, he’s been spending the rest of his life sharing his testimony to help people realize their worth because Jesus died on the cross for all sinners who confess their sins and desire to live their lives like Jesus did serving others.

Vice President J.D. Vance published his memoirs in 2016--long before even dreaming he would be asked to serve our nation. He wrote his book Hillbilly Elegy to help America become aware of what poverty and little opportunities to find decent work affects people. Vance suffered from having a mother, a drug user who had many men in her life. As a youngster and early teen, Vance had to finally move in with his grandmother, who was quite a character herself. Learning some early Christian values from her, she also could cuss that would make a sailor blush, he stated. Then, he says, she kept instilling in him to make good grades in school so he could get a good education and make something of himself.

His grandmother warned his drinking grandpa that if he didn’t quit alcohol, she’d kill him. Then he comes home drunk, passes out of the couch. She douses him with lighter fluid and sets him on fire. One of the relatives living with them puts out the fire, saving his life. Vance, an Appalachia hillbilly seemed to have little chance of growing up, much less become well-educated, become a lawyer, and with his wife, establish a successful business. The book is quite a ‘page-turner.’ He shares his chaotic upbringing to explain why he now wants to ‘give back’ to hurting people who need help in having a better life.

Local former nurse and educator, Linda Goodnight, writes encouraging, inspiring novels. Her latest book is about a young man who grew up as a foster child and knew how many foster children suffer from feeling rejected, unloved, and worthless. The tale stirs readers’ hearts to remind them of the our broken world and may encourage them to want to consider becoming loving foster parents. Goodnight’s books make good choices to read and then to share with others.

Stay safe, and warm. Help others when you can. Good reading and God bless!