Confucius says.

Johnel, frankly, this is a beautiful personal story.  The reader can feel the love of your family, the warmth of your church community, and the caring of others who have touched you for the good on your life's journey.  Yes, when we are kids we do not understand the value of examples around us.  As we mature we do, for we become aware of how others lack such nurturing, sadly.  Conficus taught:  If we do not know what to do next, we need to stop and reflect on our heritage, and what it teaches us about choices.  You are blessed with such a powerful heritage, as is this writer.  We need to ask those who have gone before us for advice on what choices we ought to make today and tomorrow.  I love Confucius, for he sums up neatly what you have carefully shared in moving detail here.  Good job.  Dr. Rux