When my son, "Skip", wrote DECADES in 1996, he described me as being a STRONG WOMAN. After receiving the following poem via e-mail in September, 2000, I asked his permission to substitute the phrase, WOMAN OF STRENGTH.

A strong woman works out every day to keep her body in shape... but a woman of strength kneels in prayer to keep her soul in shape...
A strong woman isn't afraid of anything... but a woman of strength shows courage in the midst of her fear...
A strong woman won't let anyone get the best of her... but a woman of strength gives the best of her to everyone...
A strong woman makes mistakes and avoids the same in the future... a woman of strength realizes life's mistakes can also be God's blessings and capitalizes on them...
A strong woman walks sure footedly... but a woman of strength knows God will catch her when she falls...
A strong woman wears the look of confidence on her face... but a woman of strength wears grace...
A strong woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey... but a woman of strength has faith that it is in the journey that she will become strong!!!!!!!

" . . . a diamond is the result of extreme pressure. Less pressure is crystal, less than that is coal, less than that is fossilized leaves or plain dirt. Pressure can change you into something quite precious, quite wonderful, quite beautiful, and extremely hard." ~ Maya Angelou ~