Major influences, would have to start with those who have gone before; My parents Richard and Luella Rarick, who adopted my sister and I when we were only little tiny kids.  They were foster parents over 17 years and raised 422 foster children.  They taught me verything, from how to read and write, and how to love and how to live.  They taught me to always be proud of myself. My dear friend Annette Jones, who was always proud of me. My teacher, my mentor, my friend, Marsha Scott Rogers.  She helped to push me to excel.  She was always making me submit my work for publication, and always helped me to succeed. Other influences in my life are my extended family, who thohugh there are so many to name, some deserve to have their names mentioned. Evelyn & Dean Allen, who took me in under their wing and heart when I lost my dad, and who helped me overcome an anger that lived inside of me.  They were my "foster" parents for a long time, and are now more than just a "foster" parents, they are some of my Heroes. Priscilla Diane, who though she is neither my mom, or birthmother, she is my mom non the less.  She is the mom I need when I don't have mine around.  Out of her heart she has taken me in, and helped to shape who I am. Rebecca Michelle, who is like a sister to me, she is the one sister who is proud of everything I do, and even though she knows my each and every deep and dark secret, loves me any ways. Elaina & Malynda my dearest and closest friends, who stand beside me in EVERY single thing I do. And to those of you I didn't mention, its not that I love you any less, its just that I only had so much space to work with here.