SHARON WALLACE IS A REMARKABLE WOMAN.

I know of few people who could endure half a century of physical, emotional, and substance abuse and emerge from that tunnel such a kind, giving, and caring person.

When Sharon hired me to co-write this book, neither of us knew of the grueling odyssey ahead of us. Yet, she soldiered through debilitating bouts of physical weakness, hospital trips, and the effects of prescriptions drugs, determined to tell her story and warn younger women not to travel the road to self-destruction.

One example of her generosity:

After Sharon paid me under our contract, she said, "I feel like I owe you more. This is taking so long."

I had made several 140-mile round trips from my house to hers, but felt that was all part of the original agreement. "You don't owe me anything more," I told her.

She called me in March, 2015. "Ray, I need you to come up here. I want to show you something." I hesitated, staring down a very busy weekend. She sweetened the pot, "I'll give you gas money." So I knew it was important to her.

I arrived and we talked while her friend and caretaker, Greg, moved my car out of the driveway. When he returned, Sharon said, "Come outside so I can show you."

In the driveway was a BMW with a poster attached: "Ray, don't be a screamer when you see your new Beamer."

I was stunned, speechless, and very grateful.

The timing was perfect. My 1989 Park Avenue made the trip home, but conked out for good after another 50 miles. I literally would not have made it back to Sharon's one more time.

That is the spirit of the woman who wrote this book to encourage and inspire others.

--Ray Balogh