The Last Steps of Christopher

The Last Steps of Christopher was written mainly as a thank you to the military and the National Guard for what they did for me and my family. We can never repay all their efforts and love put to our family in laying Christopher to rest. The story of Christopher's death and the horrible pain it brought me now will be a source of healing for many. My book is my gift to others who have lost a loved one in serving our country in any way.

I am a small-town farm girl who played in sports and held the shotput title for many years after I graduated. I gave a half-hearted prayer to give God the glory for this. I followed in the footsteps of three sisters who also excelled in sports.

Being a red head and a having an extroverted personality presented me many challenges. I went to college for a short time to receive an Associate of Arts degree. Then I decided I would work for a while. I met my ex-husband at a wedding. We got married, had four children and then separated after 14 years of not-holy bliss. Despite many years of struggles, I kept my spirits up. On my jobs, I was awarded "Employee of the Month" three times, I became the top verifier at a telemarketing company, and I was nominated for the Hospitality Award of Grand Forks, North Dakota.

I would not be who I am today had it not been for the many hills and valleys of life. It is the facing of challenges that builds our character and strength.