Biographical information-Native of Knoxville Tennessee, graduate of the University of Tennessee with degrees in Biology and Chemistry. Married for almost 30 years to Deborah Elizabeth Insell Slagle until her death from brain cancer. Rick and Debbie worked with foster children,eventually adopting two;Chad and Emily.Rick and Debbie worked with young people in many capacities over the years.Rick is a stroke survivor after a 8 day coma. After the death of Debbie,he felt led to record his journey.Dedication-First to the Living God in the form of the Father Son and Holy Spirit,secondly to my beloved late wife Debbie,her parents.and to my parents the late Marlene and Cecil Slagle. May all Glory be given to God. I am a sinner saved by grace.