EMBRACING TODAY
© 2021 KAHLEN AYMES
First Edition
Version: 2021.5.11
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Cover Design and Formatting by R.A. Mizer of ShoutLines Design. For more information visit
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Published by Kahlen Aymes Books, Inc.
Amazon ISBN: 978-1-973358947
Ebook ISBN: 978-0-9996713-7-5
Paperback ISBN: 978-0-9996713-8-2
DEDICATION
One of my dear readers, Dawn Morrison Brady, lost her husband to colon cancer while I was writing this book and his story touched my heart so much that I decided that I must dedicate my firefighter book to the two of them.
Dawn has been with me almost since the publication of my first book, The Future of Our Past, and over the years she has assisted with book signings, often driving hundreds of miles to do so, and has become a dear friend. I love her dearly and though I never met him, I learned a lot about her husband Barry Brady, a thirty-year fire-fighter and certified arson investigator for fifteen. He became a loving and devoted father to her 2 sons from a previous marriage, and they adored him. I know that he and Dawn shared a special love story.
Brady, as he was called by all who knew him, was beloved in his community and had many friends, he won too many awards and accolades in his home state of Tennessee to mention them all, but enough that the state passed legislation that provides compensation to firefighters who acquire cancer because of their work. It covers four types of cancer and the only requirement is that firefighters get an annual screening. Dawn has said that she receives texts and emails often where firefighters tell her that because of the screening requirement their cancer was found much earlier than it might have been otherwise had it not been for this piece of legislation.
When Brady was on hospice, during the last five weeks of his life, he found out that this legislation would be named after him, and he felt a great sense of honor. Unfortunately, he didn’t live to see it become law, but it was signed by Governor Bill Lee just one month after his death. Brady’s legacy will live on through The Barry Brady Act and hopefully save other firefighters from losing their lives, as he did.
I love you, Dawn, and I’m so sorry for your loss. I hope this dedication comforts you just a little.
You may notice that Ben’s last name in Embracing Today is Brady… by design.
Rest in peace, Brady… Heaven is for heroes.
~Kahlen
Xoxo
Since 2002, 2 out of 3 firefighters suffer some kind of side effects from their career as heroes, including cancer. It is my wish that all states and/or the federal government would introduce legislation similar to the Barry Brady Act for firefighters and other first responders who risk their lives for others every day. Please contact your local legislature and share Barry’s story.
Click here to learn more about The Barry Brady Act
Click
here
to read a news story was done 1 year after Barry’s death which explains why, and how, firefighters get cancer from their gear.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Special thanks to all of the members of my Dream Team, Review Team, and Kahlen’s Angels who help me so often with beta reading and promotion of my books, especially Justin Tevis who manages my reader group, Kathryn Voskuil, Sandra De Gouveia Archangel, Zoë Braycotton, Jaime Billam, and Donna Cooksley Sanderson, who have helped with editing, and the many bloggers who review, blast, post, talk up and feel so passionately about my books… I love you to Mars and back!
To A.M. Hargrove, Samantha Christy, Tina Reber, Ilsa Madden-Mills, Kelly Elliott, Sandi Lynn, Julie Richman, April Wilson, SE Hall, AD Justice, and Lynn Jaxon; I adore you, your books, and your friendship! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
My heartfelt thanks to the host of authors and bloggers who invite me into their groups to share my books and release events, who help to organize group promotions that give our readers the opportunity to find similar types of books, authors and reader groups!!
To my special friends from the CATB group and the True-R group – I love you and know I can always count on you! You are TRUE and loyal friends!
To my mother and daughter who offer unending support: I love you with my whole heart!
And finally, to my readers… thank you for all of your support, love, tears, and amazing words that you send to me on a daily basis. I am humbled and honored beyond measure. I appreciate, and value, every single review, because you took time the time to not only read my work but share your opinions! I adore each and every one of you!
I couldn’t make this incredible journey without any of you. I hope you know that!
Love and Peace...
~Kahlen
Xoxo
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright
Dedication
Acknowledgment
Prologue
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
Epilogue
Other Books by Kahlen
About the Author
MARIN
“Stop, Carter! Don’t come near me!”
My shrill scream split the air, but it didn’t keep him from advancing on me in his fury.
Over the past two weeks I’d been slowly working up the courage to end things with my boyfriend of almost two years, and I’d decided tonight was the night. The relationship that had started out good turned to crap after my Uncle Leonard passed away a few months back.
After stressing about it all day, I’d come home, gathered my courage, packed up his
