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With humor and insight into what it is to be human, the author tells the story of her first 18 years growing up in a patriarchal society and religion in the mountains of Utah, and Ohio and New Jersey. A poetic storyteller, she brings the reader through her journey of finding meaning in her life and discovering her own humanity, free of the constraints of her origins. It is not simply a coming of age story, but a tale of transformation. “I learned to confront lies and injustice and fight for what I believe – not by good example, but by the absence of it. Witnessing the absurd, ridiculous and outrageous on a regular basis, I acquired a lifesaving taste for dark humor. My youthful experiences are the alchemist’s lead. With focus and patience, I can transform them into gold. The rough, animal creature is purified and refined by the fire of an examined life to become more than it might otherwise have been – stronger, wiser, more human. The opportunity to embrace and grow from the lessons of my experiences is the gift of living a conscious life. I can learn from the choices – good and bad – of others and I can learn from my own. The capacity to laugh at myself came as an unexpected bonus when I started forgiving myself.”