My mother and her friends had a saying I heard constantly when I was growing up," "It's all true life. " They could be talking about a birth, a tragedy, a family vacation, almost anything.

Inevitably, the phrase would pop up in conversation. It just seemed to be a catch all phrase, and I had no idea what it meant.

Now I do. None of us is untouched by this life.

To live a true life is to know the joys and sorrows, mishaps, mistakes, breakups, make ups, and "shoulda, coulda, woulda's" it brings to all of us. I try to write about life with respect and sensitivity to my own story and to those whose stories I've heard along the way.

Writing about the theme of true life requires realistic vulnerability. In these literary moments, I feel most connected to readers.

It's where we find common ground. For this book about "Life," it seemed only fitting to focus on some of the "L" words that make up the stuff.

Everyone reading this book has experienced the raw emotions that show up with the five "L's" (Love, Loss, Lust, Laughter, Lyrics) at some time in your life. Love, Ginny.