GIFTS OF DAWN

Driven to Write

   I was a sick child and after returning from Pearl Harbor (I’m an Army Brat) my family stayed with my Grandmother Nina Durkee, she was in her 90’s then. She would tell me stories about all of the sea captains I came from including my grand father. My father was born at sea.

   She lived in a mansion in Alameda California; I remember the 2 lions that were perched to either side of the stairs leading up to a large covered patio and double doors. The living room looked up 3 stories to a glass roof my grandfather never got used to living on land and died shortly after he lost his clipper ship. I am still looking up his name and the name of his ship. I have only my memories, and they are old. 

   In my life I have had to remake myself many times.  I started as a caregiver (7-yr). Then a school bus driver (10-yr). Then I worked with adult children (5-yr).

   Then I learned to cut gemstones and went on to become a jeweler until I injured, my left hand (1^st, 2ed and 3^rd degree burns, I never regained full use of my hand.) 

   I was totally devastated from the loss, as an artist to not be able to create was a kind of black hole. Of course I turned to God (He has held me in his arms my whole life.) for guidance.  Once again I was remade, I learned how to create websites and work on computer networks.  My husband and I changed Alass Creations to Alass Computers and we moved forward. 

   For years my husband and I worked side by side and made a good living.  Nine years ago that ended I merged with my local vender and joined my customers with theirs, then they fired us.

  Two years ago Lee (my husband) started having uncontrollable pain in his back and we started the process of social security disability.  It has been a long road and I have stood by and watch the love of my life getting sicker and sicker.  Eight months ago he had spinal surgery and things have gotten much worse. He is now in a wheelchair and on oxygen, facing another surgery.

  My job is now going away the hospital is cutting all the nursing support help and my position is gone.  So one more time God will remake me.  I have been writing a children’s book for the last two years.  It has kept me sane, that and giving care.

Willie @ 5 years old
Mid December 2009 

 Today was a very hard day for me I had to take my husband in for an MRI and I had to take my five-year-old grandson with me (his parents are separated and both were at work) I walked with him down the halls of the hospital I have worked at for the last six years knowing I was no longer a part of.  I loved my job and I was proud to be a part of the hospital, making a difference in peoples lives.

  God is with me and showed me in many ways today that he is there.  I had 20 minutes to get Willie to school but he had no lunch.  There was a crowd outside the hospital and I stopped to see what it was about.  It was stop smoking day and the woman handed two turkey sandwiches in the window along with some stop smoking things, I had worked with her before.  I got Willie to school with 3 minutes to spare and he had a good lunch on the way, Lee also enjoyed the lunch.

  As I watched him play on the swing set, I remembered 20 years ago his mother played on the same swing set and I stood in the same spot and watched her swing.  I am so greatful God walks with me caring for me when I am weak.   

Dayna, Cody and Cole

Nyna and Lyla

    I am a complicated person, an artist, a singer, caregiver and now a storyteller. Most of my life I have quietly sat back listening and watching people. I have listened to many stories and I have seen many things, some not so nice. I am a very spiritual person and turn to God in all things prayer is the answer to every problem.

   Two years ago I started to write The Gifts of Dawn Books, and I have cried more in these years, then my entire life. The memories are all coming back and they are not all pretty. Some are down right horrifying. I am a survivor, and the only sane (?) survivor of my immediate family. My mother, stepfather and brother (he committed suicide in my living room, he died in my arms) my aunts and uncle’s have all passed many years ago. My sister is pleasantly insane due to our childhood. My father was a pedophile and we were his toys. In my life I have been beaten, rapted physically and mentally. I have been in 3 near fatal accidents and come back with few scares. I have been homeless and I do know hunger, days without food only water. I’ve been a drunk; I have 21 years of sobriety, one day at a time.

    My hope for this website is that it grow and prosper one cross-link at a time. I will share my stories with you and I ask you to share your stories with me. I will also say.

   “judge not, for you shall be judged with the same measure by which you judge, look always for the good, then if you must look at the bad, and bless it. Look a person in the eye. Say good morning or Goodnight, first. Don’t be afraid to smile and laugh. Laughter is one of God’s greatest gifts to us and we do not use it near enough. God Bless you all and keep you safe … Grandma Scott