"From the time she read her first chapter book, Aileen has loved language and story. She dreamed of college and writing but deferred those dreams to marry her sweetheart at age eighteen. Together, they left their beloved Wyoming roots and ministered at a children's home in Oklahoma for fourteen years, adding three children to their family along the way. In her thirties, Aileen finally pursued her college education, graduating with degrees in English and Communication just as her firstborn graduated high school. Once again, she postponed her writing dreams in favor of a more economically viable career in business. In 2015, her life was upended in the span of six weeks when she lost her father and career and became her mother's caregiver. Ill-prepared for such a role, she spent the next six years learning the art of caregiving and making tender memories with her mother. Their journey took another detour when the confluence of COVID-19 and dementia swept them into deep water. Aileen describes walking parents through their final years as a ""terrifying blessing"" and wants to reassure other caregivers that they are not alone on their own unique journeys. With her mama safely home, Aileen now embraces the dream so long delayed-writing about faith, family, and her love of wild places. She loves to connect with her readers via her blog at comeonaileenblog.com."