Tangles: Conversations about my life

This thesis is a collection of nonfiction narrative essays. It reveals an examination of my life from childhood through several crises, recounting episodes within a dysfunctional nuclear family, marriage at an early age, and serious illness in my twenties. The autobiographical pieces reveal my journey out of childhood poverty, to becoming a successful parent, eventually divorcing, and entering college as an adult student. Each piece tells part of my story in coming closer to self-actualization and independence. It begins with a brief introduction followed by seven chapters. The final, concluding chapter explores my thoughts, memories, teachers, and theories that have influenced my writing process.