We Almost Turned to Dust in the Duffel is a collection of short stories, some written decades ago, that were stashed in a duffel bag under a bed. One day, the bag was pulled out from the darkness, and the characters seemed to crawl out, sighing, "We almost turned to dust in the duffel." Each character has a story to tell about how their struggles taught them important life lessons: Do I really want what I wish for? Whom should I trust when the going gets tough? Who am I? Am I important? What is more important-the mess in life or life itself? Do I think I'm happily headed in the right direction while, really, I'm lost? Each story can be read in one sitting, and from each, many morals can be drawn. We Almost Turned to Dust in the Duffel can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from all around the world, and from all walks of life. God knew Jean Blair long before she was born, just like He knew you. She was designed in His imagination, created in secret, and when His work was ready, He carried her into the world. Jean was born into a huge and diverse family, which, over time, became more enormous and even more diverse. Sitting at the family table was like sitting in the United Nations. Jean and her four siblings grew up in Queens, New York, which gave Jean a taste of every single part of the world. Jean Blair is your neighbor. She is the author and illustrator of the new book We Almost Turned to Dust in the Duffel.