Without Rayne Written and Illustrated by Kieley Milliman

This book is dedicated to all the people who inspire me— Amma, Suzana Gavazova, Ani Defranco, my parents, my friends, and my loving family.

My name is Elena Brigzbie, and everyday I think of a sweet girl I met in the bad years of my life. I was forty and she was ten. Knowing her made my life good. She filled my life with joy and happiness. Fifty-one years later, I am on my own, and she has moved away. When Rayne moved it was painful. Fifty-one years is a long time! She is sixty-one going on sixty-two and I am ninety-one going on ninety-two. Memories, memories, she called me granny, I have so many memories…..

1963 Rayne’s 14 th birthday. She has a big party at my house!

1964 Her father’s birthday. He is dead but his spirit and memory remains…

1970 Rayne turns 21 and gets married! I knew that the high-school sweetheart was the one! I am a bridesmaid!

1979 Rayne turns 30 and helps me by moving into my house.

1981 Rayne’s husband goes to war.. We were all so worried but had hope for his soul….

1985 Rayne’s husband returns from the cold place called war… Good for him!

2007 Rayne’s 59 th birthday! So much fun! We went to Alfresco!

2009Life is good—Rayne’s 61. She has moved from home in Berlin to Palm Springs, Florida. She promised that she would write to me every day... I get a call from Rayne, “But granny you’re sick! I have to come down! You need my care!” “Don’t worry! I’ll visit you someday sweet child.”

“It is almost your birthday.” “62.” “My lucky number..” “I’ll see you when I come up…” “Goodbye, child…” I remembered for a while. Then I wrote a letter….

True enough, Rayne did decide to fly in. She had received the letter the week before. She didn’t see Mrs. Brigzbie. She saw a new grave, and so many old memories….

Becoming an author has been quite a process. I have grown so much as an author, from writing how-to books and writing fictional pieces. I have learned to use better words that describe the character or action precisely. I have also learned about ending a book to tie all of the plot together. I used the book, Miss Rumphius, by Barbra Cook as my mentor text. It is a story about a little girl growing and traveling the world. My story is similar to this. Rayne, the main character, is growing through the story, similar to Miss Rumphius. My grandma inspired me to write this because she grew up in a place sort of like Rayne’s house. She also writes letters and does things in the traditional way. I’ve really grown at being an author. It has been an enjoyable process. I love to write and will write for the rest of my life. Thank You… Reflection

Kieley Milliman is a writer who loves music, archery, and fencing.She has become involved with learning multiple languages and plays two instruments. She loves to hang around with her family, and chat with her friend in Denmark, Sofie. She likes to listen to music and believes that someday she will visit all the countries that she as learned the native language of. She has many pets, and many very interesting friends. About the Author