S.L. Sharp 
THORNS OF THE HEART 

We all, as the characters in this story face unknown tests and challenges at times in our lives from the Thorns of the Heart. These fated times happen to all of us whether we are young, old, rich, or poor. Yes, it is through these severe heavy downpours of pain and suffering in our own lives that we meet up with the Grim Reaper eye to eye and face-off with The Thorns of the Heart. However, as my brother, W.R. Sharp, and I wrote in our novel, life is finite and just like a burning candle, it has a beginning and an ending in its own time. Yes, this is true unless the waxed lit flame is blown out at an unexpected moment before one is ready to say goodbye to their loved ones or to leave their earthly life behind on this earth. At these specific times, and many other times in our lives, we suffer from the Thorns of the Heart. Yet, we must continue to live our lives to the fullest, having infinite hope and forge ahead for not only our children, but for all our loved ones. The sense of our survival allows not only continuity but the preservation of our family legacies in generations to come. Human stamina, we as the authors believe is the secret to one’s life as described in the words of the poem A Candle Burns –
A Candle Burns by S. L. Sharp
A candle burns in all our hearts flamed with passion, lies and secrets.
A candle burns in all our hearts scorched in old romances, friends and acquaintances.
A candle burns in all our hearts smoked with bittersweet, sadness and sorrow.
A candle burns in all our hearts melted down with memories, regrets and moments.
A candle burns in all our hearts burnt-out in love, laughter and yesterdays.
Yes, we must encounter each new day of our life through our powers of love, strength, faith and by not believing in never-ending dreams! Only through positive thoughts, a belief system, intestinal fortitude, and physical stamina, can we provide mental body armor against the Thorns of the Heart. This will allow the sun to shine once again within our souls clearing the pathway for all of us to a new life-changing awakening day, only if we keep HANGIN’ ON…
W. R. Sharp and S. L. Sharp