If you have ever wondered what it was like to grow up and work on a cotton farm during the 1950's you need to read this book. It tells about the trials and tribulations of survival while growing up in a large family and only making two dollars each day for working from daylight to dark. While I wasn't ashamed of my roots I wanted a better life for my family. I knew at an early age that education was the key to unlocking many doors and I only completed the fifth grade. After obtaining my (G.E.D) General Education Diploma I went to work as a Patrolman for the Lonoke Police Department in July of 1971. I immediately knew that I had found my niche in life and wanted to make a career out of it. Four months later I applied for and was accepted as a Patrolman for the North Little Rock Police Department. In 1973 I was approached about going to work for the Arkansas State Police and was sworn as a Trooper on October 7, 1973. I was promoted to Sergeant on November 23, 1984 and to Lieutenant on June 17, 1988. For the next six years I was the assistant commander in Troop's B, F, and E. in March of 1995 I transferred to Troop J in Clarksville. A short time later I enrolled in a correspondence course at one of the local Universities and eventually obtained a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice. I completed thirty years of service to the state of Arkansas in October of 2003, and retired on April 30, 2004. This book reveals a life of hard work, honesty and integrity. It deals with education, courtship, love, marriage and the death of a child. You will laugh and cry as you read about the antics of growing up in a large family. It is both sad and funny but the message is simple: Put God first, family second, and everything else, well, you know the rest. I have also written a book of poetry entitles "Southern Charm´ and a seventy year history book entitled "Arkansas State Troopers" I believe that you will enjoy reading all of these books.