A Light from Within

About the Book

After she was adopted into a loving family in the seventies, Nikki Kelly still struggled to belong. The internal conflict between her biological roots and her adopted family left her with a plethora of emotions and an inability to trust. As she did her best to endure her challenges, no one knew that Nikki was harboring dark secrets. It was not until she turned seventeen that she finally felt strong enough to release them, seek justice, and ultimately find a light from within. In a compilation of poetry shared to inspire those who can relate and open the eyes of those who cannot, Nikki reflects on the struggles, frustrations, and ups and downs of her childhood trauma that included adoption, dyslexia, sexual assault, and PTSD. Each of her poems express a child’s desire to belong, to be heard, and most importantly, to succeed despite her seemingly insurmountable obstacles. A Light from Within is a raw volume of poems that explores the journey of an adoptee as she navigates through a variety of challenges that test her courage, strength, and perseverance.

About the Author

Author Bio Nikki Kelly was born and adopted in the early 70’s. During a time when adoption was not only rarely talked about, but also very misunderstood. Though growing up in a loving family Nikki struggled to belong. The internal conflict between biological and adopted families left Nikki with a plethora of emotions and an inability to trust. In school Nikki struggled with reading, writing, comprehension and focus. At a very young age she learned to compensate, just to get by. However, as time went on hiding and compensating became a challenge, so she started to act out. Then just as she felt all hope was lost, that she’d never succeed a teacher took an interest. At 17, Nikki had had enough, it was finally time to come forward. Secrets that she had been keeping for years, she finally had the strength to release. She struggled with what to say, how to tell and who, but ultimately knew what she needed to do. She gathered everything she possibly could, afraid she wouldn’t be believed, and went to the police to make a report. While her friends sat in High School Government, she sat in a courtroom learning first hand about the law. She missed homecoming, many parties and senior prom. She may not know who was crowned king or queen that year, but she will never forget the pride she had, getting justice for her violent sexual assault. Nikki is a “tomboy”, fun-loving, outgoing and always laughing, joking and smiling. She knows she is who she is because of the struggles that she has been through, and though she would never choose to do them again, she wouldn’t change them either. It is her struggle that make her strong. Nikki is a USN Seabee disabled Veteran. After, her discharge from the Navy she returned to school earning a degree in interpreting for the hearing impaired. Nikki lives in Michigan with her husband of 26 years and two adult daughters. Nikki loves spending time with her friends and family and she loves the water.