Writing poetry may be difficult for most people, and it came as a strange occurrence for me. My writing began late in life as I was preparing for retirement. I was experiencing some business and personal issues and struggling with life day by day. My mind was filled with doubt and fear that was beginning to plague me. I was happily married with a wonderful family, but self-doubt was beginning to overwhelm me. I began to write about my feelings and found its cathartic effect beginning to calm my mind.

At times, my writing took me to mountain peaks of joy, while at other times it flowed through valleys of despair. A few poems are more whimsical and fun to read, but many are filled with descriptions of the beauty of God's creation. Jesus is my main character and model for my life. My poetry shares my most intimate time with God and my frustrations and feelings with myself for a period of time. Joyfully, it ends in a final victory.

I share this book with the hope that it may encourage others to find happiness and peace of mind. But most important, that they may find Jesus and His gift of life.

Dr. David W. Hughes was born in Van Nuys, California, in 1941 where his father was working with Bell Telephone. His father decided that he wanted to become a preacher and quit his job. His family began moving every three to four years to five different states to build new churches. This continual moving and leaving his friends left him feeling insecure with emotional scars, which is reflected in some of his poetry.