We are all people of story. Our own stories are as individual as we are. We are also people of faith. Even if we don’t attend a church, or don’t believe in the existence of God, we all hold some belief in what life is all about. When Jesus was asked, What do I need to do to be saved? , He answered in the form of a faith precept: Love God and love your neighbor. But when He was asked, But who is my neighbor? , Jesus answered in a story, the beloved story of the Good Samaritan . My story that I share with you in this little book is at times a little raw. I have strived to avoid skipping over my weaknesses, so that the undeserved grace and mercy that I have received may be clearly seen. As someone once said, stories of restoration and redemption are just one beggar telling another where he found bread. Perhaps my story of escape from darkness and desperation is what you need to hear, or that the faith you already have will grow even stronger. Deacon Bob Skawinski was born in Jersey City in 1938, the youngest of three children. He worked as an engineer, graduate-engineering instructor and manager for AT&T for 36 years, as a high-school instructor and department head for 5 years and has been serving as an ordained Deacon in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for 30 years. His first 14 years of education were in Catholic schools. He holds a B.S.E.E. in electrical engineering and an M.B.A. in business administration. He has been married for 58 years and is the father of three girls and the grandfather of four boys.