My Roots Grow Strong

Roots are one's foundation for strength and growth. Our heart, mind, and body represent all pieces of us and our stories. This book's purpose is to show everyone that our roots give us the strength to overcome life's struggles. Melissa has been drawn to the beauty and peace of nature in her poetry, so nature's symbolism and metaphors are seen throughout the book. Beautiful illustrations and imagery are woven throughout the pages, so the poetry comes to life in color. Readers will see themes of healing and hope, love and loss, mental health, miscarriage, womanhood, motherhood, and mother nature.

This collection of poetry is inspired by Melissa's life experiences and struggles. At a young age, she developed an eating disorder while struggling with poor self-esteem, body image, and anxiety. She spent years recovering and healing from those struggles. In college, she met the love of her life whom she later married. While working in the family business after college, she began writing poetry. Eventually, she left the family business and moved to Connecticut, where she and her husband continued to build their life and careers. They walked through intense loss and healing after suffering from a miscarriage, only to celebrate their rainbow baby soon after.