An exorbitantly persuasive, powerful, and rich businessman has been privileged to mysteriously acquire an extremely valuable document. Over the years, he has used the power of this instrument to achieve more success than anyone could have ever dreamed possible. By religiously following the simple, but ridged concepts it outlines, and with unadorned faith in the power of his thoughts, words and deeds, over time, he had found the secret to happiness ... almost. One stipulation of THE GIFT, as he called it, was that it must be passed on to another, more over, THE GIFT would play a significant roll in the selection of each recipient, Michael had learned well how to control the power within THE GIFT as well as the power within himself He set out an elaborate contrivance whereby his destiny would be fulfilled, but only through the next person to receive THE GIFT.

He meticulously created in his mind the person who was to take his next step with THE GIFT. For years he conceived every character attributes the person must possess to enable his last desire to take place. At that time, Maggie was selected. Maggie was once a dreamer of greater things for herself Time, life and the lack of passion had almost reduced her dreams to faded hopes cast on the mounting heap of other unaccomplished desires. She hungered and was ready for a change but, in reality, did she have the courage to start over and change her life from what it was to what she longed for it to be9 With his unrelenting faith, she would not encounter any obstacles that could not be overcome. Of that fact he was assured.

Maggie is amazed at the coincidences which just seem to happen, that catapulted her toward the reality of living the life she wanted. It was not long before she realized these happenstance occurrences were not from fate, but were from a much more dominant source. Nothing, she realized, ever really happened by accident. She had not voluntarily accepted the terms of this deal, but without knowing its full ramifications was fully engaged in the process it was creating. She quickly becomes aware that she is being guided, protected and watched by someone or some force.

As her life reached the point of achieving everything she had expected, THE GIFT was no longer necessary. The time had come for her to pass it on to another. She had a preconceived notion in mind of who was to be the chosen one, yet she had not been in possession of THE GIFT long enough nor had she mastered its full power to control this occurrence. She was unaware of the omnipotence of THE GIFT which was to perform the next inevitable task. The surprising conclusion demonstrates the awesome collaborative power of the mind and provides a preface to the sequel explaining the origins of THE GIFT and its ultimate objective.

"Are you sitting down? Yes, I actually finished it! I am amazed at your talent. Normally, when I read something there is what I call dry spots in it, to me this is normal for books, they all pretty much have them. Yours doesn't, it flows and keeps the reader's attention the whole time. OILY was a wonderful addition and a beautiful way to say I Love You. Your characters were very dimensional and you made the reader enjoy them and feel part of the story. I thought she was going to give the book to someone else, but I think it ended up being more special what that person did without it. Wonderful, Beautiful, Magic story, thanks so much for allowing me to read it."

"I have finally finished the book. What a wonderful read...you can only imagine how much I enjoyed reading it as I don't know if there are the right words for me to describe how much I liked it. I told you where I was in my reading...well I thought that Nicole was supposed to be the recipient of THE GIFT...well I decided to read while I ate my lunch...and just after sitting down I soon saw where you were headed with the story...right before the envelope with the name NIC on it was found. I then was certain of my hunch...but it never prepared me for the emotional ending you wrote. Needless to say, I know I am not the first person to tell you that it brought tears to my eyes...but it did just that. I want to thank you for sending me this book...it was thoroughly enjoyed. I can hardly wait to read the sequel that I know is coming." As Always... Your Friend.

"I am writing to tell you how great I think your book is. I have just completed reading it in its entirety and I am in complete awe. I could not put it down once I started. You are an extremely talented writer. I have read many books that I have liked a lot and enjoyed, but none of them even compare to the emotion I felt as I read this one. The story line was captivating, the characters so well portrayed, and the ending put a smile on my face. You held my attention the entire book through. Just as you predicted in your introduction, there as so many parts to this book that everyone can relate to at least some of it. The suspense of what will happen next is present throughout the entire book as the surprises linger on and on. 1 really think this book is going to go to the best-sellers list as soon as it is published, and I hope that happens soon, as I would love to have everyone I know read it, as it will be an inspiration to all. Thank you for allowing me the privilege to read and enjoy it. I look forward to getting an autographed copy at your first book signing."

Sincerely,

"It was honor to evaluate Michael Crawford's novel, and from the first page I was thoroughly engrossed with the plot and characters. Crawford's characters are vivid, alive and reek of reality. I was able to identify with his characters personally and found myself riveted by their actions as the story unfolded. Michael Crawford's novel is full of delightful surprises, and offers the reader a thoroughly engaging read."

"...one day you would be on the best-seller list with this novel."

Jean Premeau, Author of AFTER BIRTH

THE MAN

There was a strange silence as the meeting began. For too many years now, every business associate he had ever had knew he was a man who generally got exactly what he wanted. Today was different. For the first time, it was as if he lacked interest, but no man at the table was going to do more than think this to himself Over the years he had shown them he was extremely kind, generous and understanding. He built mutual respect on those attributes. Something was wrong today, they all felt its presence. He liked to walk around as he talked; even this usual trait was somehow just not there. Only the new guys were unaware that when he shifted his weight to one leg, he was in deep concentration or, when he put his hand to his head he was unsure. This was something only time taught. Those who were impatient soon learned the value of waiting. Those familiar with him, knew that the way he focused his eyes told them enough about him at the moment. It was something about his concentration, the deep prolonged glances that alerted those familiar with him that it was not time to talk, but to listen, and to listen very carefully to every word. The new guys would have to learn the hard way. Those who knew him loved him, for they had felt his love for them in ways that were hard to describe. It is a strange feeling when one knows something is wrong with a friend and helpless to lend a hand.

He had become a self-made man. His youth was not a pleasant one. He was determined to be something more than his family had preconceived. He attended college as a self-imposed effort to get ahead, not for what the standards were intended. There had always been a dream in his mind, but he did not recognize it until he reached his middle twenties. It was then that he was transplanted from the deep south of Georgia to the northern shores of Maryland. He never lost the southern drawl, which had become so comfortable. He was driven to save money not really knowing why. He quickly found out when his first opportunity came. Fortune shined on him, even though his arrogance, ignorance and impatience fought against him. Not much time passed before he saw what he was fast to become. Several things, however, got in the way.

She was pretty, charming and most importantly, she was his father's choice. She would bring him into the real world his father thought he was overdue to enter. The effort was there, and sweet dreams of marriage soon left him empty. He never knew the reason, it was just another mistake he learned to endure. He quickly found himself returning to his prior self He soon realized his life was void of what he truly wanted. His mind sought to find the answers, while at the same time, keep the goals he had previously set. For hours he would sit in solitude convincing himself that his goals would be realized. He was not uncomfortable with the thought that it would simply take time.

As his thoughts began to seriously focus on what he wanted, he brought himself closer to the answers. He almost instinctively knew when she appeared that she held the answers to his questions. It was there all the time, yet he was far too busy to stop long enough to see its simplicity. Michael absorbed everything and most of his life changed -- the things he could change anyway. Others, such as previous mistakes, he lived with because he was an honorable man. He had been given a gift that he learned to utilize well. Now, despite fate, it was time to act on the requirement he knew would present itself in time.

She came to him in a way he was not accustomed, but when she boldly approached the table and stared into his eyes, she knew what he had secretly been seeking. For whatever reason, he knew she knew. He never got to know her the way he might have enjoyed, she simply introduced herself, said she had something he had wanted, and handed him an envelope. Their eyes never parted as she began to explain that what was in his hand would change his life forever. Normality was out of the question for him as her words sank deeply into his mind. There was a calm inside his soul that the answers he had longed for were to be revealed in the contents of the envelope. She walked out the door, but not out of his life. He soon learned to focus on her attributes, and would remember them for the future, for someday it would be his turn to do the same.

THE WOMAN

Her name is Margaret, but everyone calls her Maggie. The name has followed her from childhood. Her age has no significant importance. She is married, has two children, and has been employed long enough to become extremely bored with work.

She missed fixing breakfast for the family. The kids were nearly grown, her husband had changed his eating habits, among other things, and she was always late for work anyway. Perhaps it was the missing of the past that made her stop and think. Had things changed so quickly, or had she just failed to see them? Regardless of the reason, she was in a world of her own, one of herself with little consideration for anything else. Very little consideration had been given to her over the years it seemed, so she took the task on with pleasure.

Over the years, her life seemed to have a purpose. There was always something demanding her attention, yet she had failed to pay attention to the greatest one of all -- herself She cheerfully fulfilled the duties of wife and mother. It kept her mind, body and thoughts busy. When the children were old enough to no longer need her constant attention, she took a job hoping it would not only bring in more money, but also give her a challenge. It was not easy being one person on the inside and acting like another on the outside. She would only pretend, for the aspirations she had once clung to were fading slowly away, if they had not already gone. It might have been a question of personal definition The crystal clear ideas and ideals were now only a distant memory, but she would not and could not let them go. They seemed to be the only thing left to hold of what she knew to be herself, the self who had disappeared in the rush of life and the requirements of duty.

A young girl's conception of love, passion and romance quickly vanished. The real world seized control, like it or not. She found it rather ironic; she was a sales coordinator for a large public relations firm. She was very good at her job, yet wondered why she failed at coordinating her own life. She loved her family, but she felt taken for granted, as if she was there and always would be. Perhaps this is what she disdained most of all. She knew that concept was most likely true, but she didn't like it and longed to simply be appreciated, loved and in love. She could dream and no one was going to take her dreams away.

A baby boomer of the mid-forties, Michael Crawford was born in Atlanta, Georgia when it was still considered a small country southern town. At age five, his life was changed with the loss of his mother to T.B., which would have profound effects on his later life. His primary education was first started in the city school system, and later changed to a rural county system when his family moved to the 'country' which is now a suburb of Atlanta. At age sixteen, Michael was critically injured in an automobile accident which also impacted greatly on his later life.

His first attempts at higher education resulted in frustrated disappointments. as did his first marriage. Without a formal education, Michael did what came most naturally to him, deal with people as a sales representative. It appeared extremely rewarding and he was generally among the top sales producers. At what seemed to be the heights of his sales career, and in the realities of a second failed marriage, fate had another plan for Michael. As a result of the automobile accident, some of the blood received from the many transfusions, he was stricken with Porphuria Cutanea Tarda, a rare debilitating blood disorder. Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise.

Having to face and accept life's true situation, and while on disability, Michael returned to college. Although he earned two degrees in Psychology, Cum Laude no less, it did not produce the end result that was desired. He accepted a job with a chemical company, which in truth was a glorified name for a janitorial supply distributor. While working there he saw a need for an innovative safety product. With help from several sources, he invented and began to market a safety slipper for janitors. This endeavor gave him both the money and the time to work on his book. The possibilities of the spiritual determination of the soul that dwells in every individual soon developed.