The second oldest of six children, I grew up on Cape Cod in Massachusetts. I credit my father for showing me the power of dreams and my mother for teaching me the value of working for them.

While I thought it would be nice to be popular, my sister thought it would be popular to be nice. I was never popular; she was always nice. Mainly, my four younger brothers were messy and loud. (They’re never going to read this. Trust me.)

I married right out of high school. Within five years, we’d been blessed with three children: Christopher John, Erin Courtney, and Darby Brendan. They’re still blessing me all these years later.

I managed to squeeze in a few English, writing, and marketing college courses while raising my family— husband included. (You wives know exactly what I mean.)

After 23 years of marriage, I was widowed. Eight years later, I was blessed to remarry (Ralph) David James. “He’s a keeper,” as my mother would say. And all grown up, I might add.

David and I live in Southern New Hampshire. Together, we have five grown children and ten grandchildren. Between our children, grandchildren, and extended family, we have family in Massachusetts, Virginia, Maryland, Georgia, Kentucky, Indiana, and New Jersey. So you know what our “vacations” are like.