When you meet Kiely, you are immediately drawn into her smile and her positive attitude.

But a visit with her reveals deep hurt from years past.  Kiely’s mom feels constant regret that she had to leave her four children alone.

When Keily was four years old, her father had a back injury and couldn’t work.  Mom had no choice but to leave the house to go

to work to support the family.  There were relatives living in a connecting house.  The children were abusive, constantly tormenting Kiely and her three brothers.  They were helpless in the absence of mom and dad.

“I want to write a book about my life” said Keily when we visited her in March, 2023.

“Would you include the bad parts?”  I asked.

“Yes” Kiely replied.

“But Keily, you always have a smile”  I said.

“I smile because no one is going to smile for me” said Kiely.

“I’ll buy your book” I responded.

We hugged.