Thomas D. Powers

Growing up in Queens,NYC with four brothers born to Irish Catholic parents, in the 1930's and 1940's didn't leave much room for conceit or selfishness. While it was a loving environment, Sibling Rivalry taught me I was part of the family, not the center of it. I sought my individuality among

friends in small groups. The good Nuns gave me eight years of love and discipline.

The freedom of High School presented me with the opportunity of "cutting class". This quickly landed me in a very structured and disciplined Military Academy which is where I lived through the very formative years of fourteen through eighteen. Upon graduation I opted for three years in the Army. (The Korean War was going on and that seemed more exciting and challenging than college) Three years later I found myself with an Honorable Discharge, a fiancé and the horrifying shock that I was expected to shape and form my own future.

I promptly married and was blessed with my one and only son, Roy. Tragically he died at age four from a rare Neurological disease. We went on to adopt two very beautiful and wonderful girls, Terry and Paula. Unfortunately the marriage didn't survive and we divorced. I met and married Barbara shortly afterwards and it gave me four more daughters, Tracy, Melissa, Valerie and Nicole and a move to Nevada. Raising four teen age girls in the eighties was an endurance experience that far surpassed my Korean War adventures. But, like the war, I survived it. I went on to learn that having a total of six adult daughters is a blessing. They,along with my wife provide me with an abundance of joy and contentment in these, my Golden Years.

Having spent my fifty five working years in banking,(from repossessing cars in the dark of night to a Vice Presidency) I retired and decided it was time for me to write the Great Novel.