Many children from small towns dream big. They are drawn to, and dream of, the wonders of the world beyond the boundaries of their geography. Sometimes dreams do come true.


Bob Lent and Shirley Hill came from modest means and found themselves drawn to each other after tortuous paths in their early lives. Neither could have imagined the journey they would take together. Their life was filled with travel to exotic places and to homes in countries they could never have thought possible. More than anything, it was the beauty, charm, and wit of Shirley (Hill) Lent that made the journey so memorable. The tale is told through the eyes of Bob Lent, who captured the magnificence of life lived with one who was fierce in her determination to make every adventure or experience in life as good as it could be.


Shirley Lent charmed many, whether they were peasants or royalty. Her path through life is a template for all young ladies who want to live life to the maximum. Shirley certainly did, and Bob Lent was a witness to, and a participant in, a life well lived.