********* “Sofi, I’ve known who you are since the day you were born. You were always meant to become a wolf, but it was a life I couldn’t force on you, you had to come to this decision on your own.” The moon goddess continued, “I know you’ve seen so much in your young life, but I feel I have to prepare you for what comes next,” she said with her eyes shining warmly on me. “This journey you are on doesn’t end with this decision, you have to decide every day who you want to be and the difference you want to make.” I stared back, absorbing everything the goddess had shared with me. Who do I want to be? I wish I had a good answer to that question, but right now I felt like the amount of questions I had was piling up. “Um, miss moon goddess, I have to be honest with you… I’m new to all of this. A few months ago, I could never have dreamed of the life that I lead now. I wish I knew what my life will look like in the next few years, heck, I wish I knew what my life is supposed to look like in the next few weeks. This is all just a lot to absorb and I don’t want to make a mistake and ruin everything.” Unshed tears now burned in my eyes. I had just poured out all my insecurities to this woman who three months ago I didn’t even know existed. The moon goddess regarded me with tenderness and patience. “Sofi, you need to let your insecurities go. You are a smart woman- kind and fair. You care about those around you and want to see this world become a better place. Cling to those around you, trust your instincts, and believe that I have always known who you are and what you can be.” With those last words, the moon goddess disappeared… *********

Grace: disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency: a temporary exemption : a charming or attractive trait or characteristic: a pleasing appearance or effect: ease and suppleness of movement or bearingdanced with such grace: the quality or state of being considerate or thoughtfulIt’s amazing how many definitions one word can be given… “a charming or attractive trait or characteristic”…”a pleasing appearance or effect”… Such a pretty word, such beautiful attributes, yet none of it could be used to define me. My name is Grace Lockwood, I am 23 years old, and I am most definitely not graceful… I am not charming, I am not pleasing in appearance or effect, and I have never been accused of being thoughtful or considerate. My point in all this, is that just because you don’t fit the definition of who others think you are,or should be, that doesn’t mean that is the only way you can define yourself. If you have been struggling to define who you are, I want to offer my book to you. Now this isn’t some self-help guide to answering all your problems; but if you’ve been looking for a sign that you’re not alone, that there’s more to you than your past mistakes, I’d like you to read what I have to say…