Welcome to my little corner of the cyber world. My name is Crystal, better known as Qwietpleez in this wild and wondrous world of point and click.

I am happy to be serving as a Site Steward in the sub-channels Personal Morals and Values and Family Values for the Society and Lifestyles channel. It's an honor to volunteer my time at Helium. Reading the words that grace and serve to better this forum each day is one of my favorite things to do!

I encourage everyone to stop by our Society & Lifestyle channel, take a peek at the many wonderful titles just waiting for you to add your voice. I look forward to reading every word. Drop me a message if you have any questions or comments, I'm always glad to help when I can and if I cannot, I'll try and point you in the right direction.

There is fun and lively discussion to be found on the Society and Lifestyle message boards, stop in , say hello and share your thoughts -

http://www.helium.com/smf/index.php?board=104.0

I stumbled upon Helium Knowledge in September of 2007, I loved Helium the moment I found it. Not only could I write on a myriad of topics, I could learn about so many others. I try to find time to write here often, writing is the best outlet in the world aside from reading, at least for myself, and here I can do both.

I wrote quite a bit at first but slowly found myself visiting less and less. I returned with a newfound hunger to share the words within me. I was a bit shocked looking back on those first pieces I added, I am still leapfrogging them as a matter of fact. Helium is a great place to learn and grow as not only a person, but as a writer.

As a freelance writer I am able to maintain my sanity though the words I pen. I run a writing group, Whispered Words, on CafeMom. As of January, 2008 we have over five hundred amazing writers in the group. It is a sanctuary for writers of both poetry and prose.

Every word I write is a beat of my heart, as long as they are someday read, I will live forever. My life's ink soaked into the pages. I write to glorify the Lord for it is He who gives me the words.

I am in the thirty-eighth chapter of my life (don't feel a day over fifty though.) I married my high school sweetheart and believe it or not, he is still my sweetheart.

We have four absolutely wonderful, amazing and inspiring children ages, nineteen, seventeen, sixteen and eleven. I was blessed with special angels ~ My oldest is an Aspie. He has a form of high functioning autism called Aspergers Syndrome. His younger brother (sixteen) is Bipolar as well as Aspergers. They both live with the ups and downs of Tourettes.

Nineteen years ago they told me not to expect much from my oldest and now he is an author and an artist, he is learning to run a business and find his place in this world. His brother struggles but never gives up. The girl child is a hormonal princess with the world's shortest attention span and the youngest is a far too witty, gifted little munchkin with ADD. There is never a dull moment in the Cook household.

I am a group administrator for another wonderful group at CafeMom, near and dear to my heart, Autism/Aspergers/PDD Awareness. Over eight thousand strong and growing daily! This site is set up to offer support, encouragement, advice and information regarding autistic spectrum disorders.

My mother is my best friend and my children are my heroes. My strength comes from the Lord and I live each day with faith that I will face my every tomorrow with courage and grace.

I pray God blesses you each and every day . . . Crystal

~ Speak with your heart and I will hear you ~

My passion is ...

My faith in the Lord. Living & loving life. Being a mother, wife, daughter & friend. Writing & reading and resting :o)

I know too much about ...

Nothing ~ I am on a constant quest to learn more and more each day.

My parents always told me ...

Never to settle for less than I knew I should. To believe in myself. To honor God & have faith. To help those I can & pray for those I cannot. They taught me respect & morals. They taught me strength can be gentle, you can learn through adversity and no matter what they loved me & believed in me.

My childhood ambition ...

I wanted to be an archeologist so I became a mother. Not too far a stretch is it? I do unearth lost treasures in the laundry every now and then!

My favorite memory ...

Watching my parents dance. Holding each my children for the first time.

Why I write ...

I write to glorify the Lord. I write to release and renew my spirit. I write to teach. I write to bring laughter or invoke a tear. I write so a piece of me will be forever alive.

What I am reading/watching/listening to ...

I am listening to Pachelbel. It may be the Eagles tomorrow and Martina McBride the next. I don't watch much of the television, I do like CSI and Bones every now and then. The only thing I am currently reading is the mail and anything that peaks my interest here on Helium Knowledge!

My first job ...

I worked in a daycare center.

My best moment ...

Has yet to come . . .

My inspiration ...

God. Family. The world around me.

Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: My favorite things

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Beauty and music, sunshine and light
The wings of a dove softly rustling in flight.

The smell of the morning after summers rain
Crackling campfires and bubbling champagne.

Voices of children singing songs of praise
The evening mist and long autumn days.

The changing of seasons, a moment of prayer
Goosebumps and laughter, my favorite chair.

Being lost in a moment, the voice of a friend
Being held in a hug I hope never ends.

The way my cheeks feel coming in from the cold
The softness of hands as they begin to grow old.

Sincerity and honesty, faith, hope and love
Knowing tha...

More..

Writing:

• Marketplace Premier Writer
• Creative Writing Silver