One Sunday in 1973, unimaginable tragedy tore our family apart. My mother, battling mental health challenges, became convinced that God had forsaken her because she'd suffered for so long. That led to her planning to end the lives of our entire family. After my mother took the life of my 9-year-old brother, George, I should have been next, coming face to face with her as she still held the weapon in her hand...but God spared me. For years, I wondered why God allowed what He allowed in our family. My mother, years later, asked me, "Did I ruin your life?" At that time, I did think that she had ruined my life, but I answered 'no', because it hurt too much to be honest and deal with the pain that I tried to bury. I no longer believe that. God was in control then, as He still is today, and nothing has stopped His 'Greater Plan' for my life! At the center of much of my pain was our family tragedy... but WHEN I GAVE IT ALL TO GOD, HE GAVE ME HIS BEAUTY FOR MY ASHES, AND NOW I AM HEALED!