My Achilles heel? My decided weakness for a happily-ever-after scenario. After the Rain weaves the story of my life with threads of passion, humor and pain. It begins when I am 17, in the infamous year 1969, and chronicles forty-plus years of uphill climbs, coasting, and in-between (limbo?). My story is relatable. I believe I speak for every woman. I have been married and divorced twice: to my first husband (and father of my children) for 24 years, and to my second husband for 7 years. I expected to be married to him for the rest of my life. We lived our own Camelot Yes, we had it all - until he was arrested/convicted of a white collar crime. I had been raised in an affluent suburb. This wasn't happening Not to me. To say I was devastated is an understatement I lost my home, my husband, my security, my self-esteem. Thirteen years ago I suffered a life-threatening stroke. No one can discern by looking at me that I should have died. Six years ago I fell and broke my kneecap; half of it had to be removed. Excruciating pain? Indeed. My knee hurts with every step, but I have learned to adapt. Don't we all adapt to our circumstances? After the Rain is a story about rising above what happens to us. About always striving to make whatever we have, whatever we do, even better. I have molded my life into what I want it to be, and I am happy and grateful. I hope my story can be a ray of light for others .