Dimikki Finley - Surviving the Floods

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadowof death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod andthy staff they comfort me.

- Psalms 23:4 KJV

Dimikki Finley

Copyright 2017 Dimikki Finley

Distributed by Smashwords

All rights reserved. No part of this book may bereproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means: electronicor mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by anyinformation storage and retrieval system; without writtenpermission from the author, except for the inclusion of briefquotations in a review.

Disclaimer: I am not a licensed counselor. All of thecontent in this book is from my personal thoughts and experiences.This book is intended as a resource to inspire, motivate, andinform you as to how life is viewed from my perspective. There aremany resources on self-help; this is merely one of many booksavailable to guide you.

Scripture quotation: The King James Bible. publicdomain.

First Edition, 2017

Cover Designer: Design_Arena in United Kingdom

Ebook formatting by www.ebooklaunch.com

Published in the United States of America

ISBN-13: 978-1539184225

ISBN-10: 1539184225

Table of Contents

I would like to dedicate this book to mybeloved grandmothers, Lucille Flye (1914-2007) and Roxie Simpson(1915-1971). Today, if you both were here, I know the both of youwould hug me so very tightly. I know the both of you would see yourbeautiful resemblances residing within me. Without a doubt, Imirror you both.

On Earth, I know you worked so hard. I knowyou both were people pleasers. Trying to please people, you foughtthe storms of life. You suffered many headaches and heartaches.Regardless, you sought happiness; you made sure all in your pathwere happy, too. Through your presence and spirit, you taught me tosurvive the floods of life, to use them as a recipe to make orprepare something of greatness. Those instructions led me to whereI am today, reaching out to many people, helping to bring ouroverturned world together as one.

If I never told you, thank you for blessingme with two beautiful gifts, my parents. I cant thank you enoughfor just that. Just as I will always treasure you, I will forevertreasure them. Without a doubt, they will be cherished, celebrated,and held dearly. Thank you for teaching me and instilling in myparents what you wished for your own grandchildren, your family,and the world. - Morals, Values, Love, and Dignity.

Thank you for leaving the family with peaceand happiness. Rest in Heaven, My Loves. The world needs you, justas we do. You are missed beyond words. XOXO.

First and foremost, I would like to thankGod for blessing me with life. I thank him for allowing me tocontinue reaching millions of people in ways I never dreamed of. Itis because of him that I am where I am. As I sat here, in tears,writing this, I remember the long nights I stayed up, the countlessamount of hours I put in to make sure my voice was heard. I thankGod that I was still able to open my eyes at 5:00A.M to prepare foranother workday with my students.

It is a humbling experience to acknowledgethose people who have, mostly out of kindness, helped me along thejourney in becoming an Author. KaDarien Finley, Charles Smith,Debra Smith, Aaron Finley, Crystal Smith, Chad Flye, Terial Flye,Danielle Vasquez, Katriena Dixon, and Joan Ruffins. I am indebtedto all of you for your encouragement and support. You should knowthat your encouragement and support is worth more than I canexpress on paper. I hope you all know just how much you mean to me.Thank you for remaining in my heart, daily. Love you all.

KaDarien, I just want to say THANK YOU inthe biggest way. My sincerest thanks are deeply extended to you.Thank you for presenting me with ideas - almost daily, forchallenging me along the way, for helping in shining the light, andfor helping to share my vision with the world. This is a token ofmy immense appreciation. You gave me hope when I thought hope wasgone. You were there like a moon in the dark skies. Thank you somuch for helping me. Love you so much.

To the best parents ever: My mom, Debra, andmy father, Charles. I love you two beyond words. Thank you all forloving me and for giving me a wonderful childhood as well as agreat start in life. You two are the definition of realparents.

Ive been richly blessed with greatfriendships. Id like to thank Joan Ruffins, Enedina Boggs, GloriaBattle, Tiffani Mapp, Vicky Cypress, Amanda Greene, DeniseMartinez, Shameka Amir, Helen Jones and Family, Freda Washington,Loretta Walker, Soraya Serna, Richelle Cooper, Ashley Argo, KimReagor, Melissa Davis, Carmen Nieves, Debbie Whitley, Dondi Homan,Cassie Morrow, Jeana Flora, Milan Fooutnet, Ashely Figueroa,Shakira Daniels, Yolanda Cox, Sharonda Newman, Rosi Johnson, NinaRhodes, Jessica Depina, Blanca Mendoza, LaShanda Allen, AnthonyDupree, Vicky Sweatt, Sandy Wallace, Catina Bett, Wilicia Allen,Charnelle Hall, Meshun Richardson, Bloscelle Alexander, ErickaDixon, Kylie Smith, Ebony White, Virginia Morvant, Reshanda Tatum,Paul Selph, Lamont Nowlin, Tamika Smith, Ulyssia Straughter,Courtney Williams, Anthony Dupree, Graciela Young, MichaelRobinson, Dianne Washington, Melody Hart, Pamela Kenniebrew, myMassage Therapist, Yvonne, the Hardwick Family, the HernandezFamily, Annette Knight, and BMW of Temple. Thank you all for yoursupport and encouragement and for simply inspiring me with yourpresence. The kind thoughts you have towards negative circumstancesare one of a kind. I find it absolutely amazing that you can stepback from any situation and think through the very best outcomesfor all. Your intentions are never fraud, you know what you want inlife; you know how to treat people, and, at the end of the day, youknow life is sweet and you are so grateful for it. I am gratefulfor you, for always caring and for always being sincere. You guyswill always be celebrated.

To all of my 2005-2017 students: Thank youfor making me feel good daily. I think you guys know that Iabsolutely love my job. There is nothing better in this world thanbeing a teacher leader. I am so very grateful because I have theprivilege to wake up each day with the opportunity to make a hugeimpact with our future. I get to talk about what matters in theworld. I get to help you all realize what matters in the world,too. While I cannot turn back the clock, or better yet, stop it,each day I spend with you allows me to reflect on the past, peerinto your future, and find peace in our present. I am humbled toshare my ideas and knowledge with you so that you can internalizethem and hopefully pass them on someday, like a track star passeshis baton. You are all so amazing. If pride were an energy source,I could light up a city. Tomorrow in your classes, take a deepbreath and realize just what an awesome experience learning is. Youall shine more brilliantly than the largest diamond and are farmore valuable in todays world. Thank you for giving my lifepurpose and ensuring that my short time here matters. Thank you fortrusting me to help guide you as you make your way in the world. Mysincerest hope is that what I have to offer is enough.

A huge thank you to all of my hometownfriends of Vernon, Texas and to all of my colleagues in Killeen ISDas well as my international friends on Facebook. I appreciate allof the love shown. Thank you for making me feel special daily. I amforever grateful.

I pray that for every eye that sees thisbook and for every soul this book touches, I pray that it blessesyou tenfold. Amen.

You dont have to turn on your television orcheck on social media very long without being bombarded with newsof conflict, turmoil, killings, and betrayals. Evil is on the riseand it has turned our world upside down. Family and friends havethrown faithfulness, loyalty and love out the door.

By far, this is the timeliest, honest andsoul-searching book I have read in a while. It will leave youdrooling for more, more and more.