There's a Flower in the Garbage

The great teachers of the world all taught from unchangeable principles of the earth to help us understand how to navigate this life. There's a Flower in the Garbage shares aspects of real life lessons I learned while turning an 18-year-old garbage dump into a flower garden. The process of growing a garden from selecting the plot of ground in which to plant the seeds; working the ground to make it fertile in order to bring those seeds to life; and partaking of the end result -- a beautiful flower garden -- exemplifies our own lives at various stages. Selecting the ground Cleaning out old garbage and rubbish Tilling the ground Selecting and planting the seed Watering and fertilizing the garden An end result of aromatic beauty The end result produces a mature and fulfilled life - if we will let the process have its way in us.
About the Author: While growing up as youth on Snead Island on the coast of West Central Florida and experiencing the beauty of the Gulf waters and as a teenager in the rolling hillsides of Central Georgia, Yvonne developed a rhythm for nature allowing the melodies of the water and the solitude of the hills to imprint their power in her soul. Yvonne is a Professional Artist specializing in Portraiture and Fine Art Works. One of the highlights of her drawing career is the creation of a solo exhibit entitled "Proponents of Peace" honoring the lives of 7 modern day Workers of Peace. The exhibit was held throughout the south in 1998 and 1999. Her writing encompasses a love for poetry as well. After the home going of her father, Yvonne was inspired to write an inspirational account of her life while growing up without her birth father. Throughout the years, she was burdened by the negative reputations that seemed to be attributed to step-parents, but Yvonne wanted to tell her story and show the other side of the coin - that a step-parent can actually be a benefit in many cases. My Father's Garden - A Tribute to Step Fathers has been an inspiration to many families struggling to navigate a blended family. Joint readings launched from My Father's Garden are: My Daily Garden Journal - a 365 day working journal for spiritual growth; Seeds for the Soul; and There's a Flower in the Garbage. She has written a collection of poetry titled, And the Angels Danced; a Novel and screenplay titled - A Dance for Bethany. A Dance for Bethany is a 4-time award winning feature film and was produced by Yvonne's husband, Marion by Raise The Bar Productions. Yvonne is President and co-founder with Marion of Trafficking in America Task Force, a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to bringing education and awareness to the United States about human trafficking and working to create a culture free of slavery and sexual exploitation to prevent more victims of America's youth. Vulnerabilities are what perpetrators look for and today's youth are indeed vulnerable, despite the best of circumstances. Yvonne has spoken all across America at conferences, on college campuses, at the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations, and many other venues about the issue of human trafficking and creating cultural change to bring an end to this egregious crime against humanity.