PREFACE ONE Life is a journey. How many times have we been reminded of this truism? Perhaps by a well-meaning friend, or a passing bumper-sticker, only to forget a few moments later as the buzz of self-talk resumes and we focus on the immanency of the day. The human psyche is wired for survival... food, clothing and shelter are basic instincts, and of course if we can provide a little (or a lot) more, we can change survival into actual living. Priorities demand we ease the transition of our journey by doing all of those things we need to do to make life pleasant, rather than focusing on the journey itself. As John Lennon said, "Life is what happens when we are busy doing other things." Louise Kennedy is one of those remarkable people who are able to examine (her) life's journey; face realistically the bad times, remembering them without resentment, rather than shutting them out or paving them over. Louise has focused on her fascinating journey, and recorded it for posterity in this amazing book. When Louise and I met for the first time, with the goal of examining her manuscript, editing, proof-reading, and shaping it for publication, I was immediately charmed by her unassuming demeanor and engaging personality. As I read through her copious notes, I marveled at her tenacious writing skills, her excellent memory, and the fact that she has survived the abuse, sexual trauma, alcoholism and tragedy that have been her constant companions, to become a whole person. She lost three of her children, two to accidental death and one to murder. One frequently meets what I categorize as the walking wounded, especially in the world of writing. Many people suffered abuse during childhood, and (mistakenly) believe their story would make a best seller, particularly as a result of having been frequently prodded by friends and relatives, saying you should write a book. In truth very few do write that book for varying reasons, which is just as well, for very few would make it. Louise's story is truly one of survival; she has suffered throughout her life. It is an odyssey in which is encapsulated an extraordinary determination to exorcise the ghosts of her past, and indeed her present, despite countless disappointments and obstacles. We readers find ourselves rooting for her, but as the title suggests, she inexplicably continues to make the wrong choices. We would be wrong to fall into the trap of her apparent inaction, the subterfuge that suggests she was the author of her own fate, and "why did she do this?' or "she could have easily walked away from that, so what's the matter with her?" Who knows what role fate plays in the spirituality of our choices? For most life-changing decisions are made in that aura. Do we really make them single-handedly, or are they predetermined? I would rather make countless mistakes than fail to make a decision at all, thereby becoming a victim of inertia, for within each mistake there are a plethora of lessons to be learned. Perhaps there is more to Lord Alfred Tennyson's, "Tis better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all" than meets the eye. I suspect there are many readers who will identify with Louise, as they recognize themselves in her struggles. For those who don't, for those who had a life devoid of abuse, struggle and heartache, within these pages a story of an incredible woman awaits you. Thomas Langley-Smith January 16, 2003