As the protagonist, Calhoun Mane, I change from a naive boy into a lost teenager traveling across America in search of new beginnings. Decades later, I became a purposeful writer living back in Ohio, where the story begins with the contrasting histories of a foster family and my biological relatives. I reflect on my faith journey by recalling memories that come alive on the pages of this exploratory narrative nonfiction book.

I felt trapped in adolescence and endured abusive relationships that had hindered my growth. I followed a predetermined path toward self-destructive behaviors. During my early teens, homelessness and addiction challenged me. I mirrored negative examples. My father, Daniel Mane, was a heroin addict and allowed my stepmother to harm me to keep a roof over his head. My birth mother, Chloe Le Coureur, the main antagonist in Raising Mother Nature, tried to nurture me but avoided emotional connection, drowning her sorrow in whiskey.

My life's journey led me to discover things I came to value. My birth mother re-entered my life after a hurricane took her house in southern Louisiana. An ailment claimed her body, and she shared a deathbed confession, revealing her abusive childhood. Forgiveness helped us build a bond of love. Learning through biblical studies helped me connect with a pure conscience reflecting God-like faith.

Co-authoring this narrative with my foster mother, Marjorie Wise Sedlacek, drew on profound insights. I studied psychology, philosophy, and spirituality for years to craft emotionally expressive writing. Reconnecting with my foster parents after twenty-eight years led me to accept Jesus Christ as my savior. God revealed His immense presence to me and proved that encounters with angels had existed.