Leslie D. Ricks is a mother, sister, friend, coach, and Disabled Veteran of the United States Air Force. She wears many hats, but her favorite is a humble servant to those who have lost their way. Born and raised in South Sacramento, CA, Leslie is the oldest of three girls.  Despite the odds of being born to a terminally ill mother who battled with Sickle Cell Disease, Leslie came out of the womb fighting to overcome the traps that awaited her. Currently, a resident of the Land of Enchantment (New Mexico, USA), Leslie has found strength and the hidden wells that only the desert places of life can spring forth. Leslie is a first-generation college graduate from the University of New Mexico with a degree in Communication and Journalism and a minor in Psychology. Her passion for writing and journaling began when she was eight years old. As she discovered the healing power in writing, it became evident that her story was not for her to hoard but an instrument for the brokenhearted and a reminder of hope for the forgotten. As the visionary behind OIG, Leslie is committed to serving, inspiring, and motivating.