Its been almost twelve years since Jackie Millar was left for dead after one of two teenaged boys senselessly shot her in the head. The teens were attempting to seal her car. This violence changed not only her life, but also the lives of her own two sons. Jackies story is one that anyone living in todays world of unprovoked violence could become a victim to. Because I Am Jackie Millar (published by Golden) is the astonishing story of how Jackie Millar forgave her juvenile assailants and how she brings her story of forgiveness to schools, juvenile prisons and any forum that will help her to get her message across. Her goal is to help stop this type of violence from destroying other innocent victims lives.

Its taken more than a decade since what author Jackie Millar refers to as the accident, to make the decision to co-author, with Judith Gwenn Adrian, a book to bring her story of undeniable courage and forgiveness to as many people as possible. Jackies self named accident didnt occur on the streets of one of our big cities; it occurred in a peaceful mid-western town in Wisconsin. Both assailants were average teens, working part time jobs while attending high school. Because I Am Jackie Millar carries the reader from the day Jackies life changed; dealing with her brain injuries, memory loss, the pain and suffering of her family, all which led to her forgiving her young assailants. Most importantly, Jackie wants to use her pain to help others.

In a recent national television interview segment, titled Why I Forgave the Man Who Shot Me, (May 30, 2007) Jackie confided to Oprah Winfey that forgiveness was immediate. Although she struggles to speak, Millar stated, I was a woman who knew what she wanted to do. I think that I wanted so much out of live. I think that I just forgave them. I forgave them immediately so I could get on with my life. I think that is something I can do: but I knew it was Craig and Josh that tried to kill me. I think I would be nuts if I hadnt forgave them. I would have been insane. Millar continued, Forgiveness means I love everybody as fellow human beings. To forgive is something that is me. I dont harbor bad thoughts about someone.

Inspiration and Jackie Millar are becoming interchangeable terms. Jackies story inspired Mike Stults, a Los Angeles music producer (Jeannie Kendall) to include a tribute song simply titled Jackies Song in a soon to be released project, Rx for Lonely Housewives & Desperate Lovers. The project is a compilation of a booklet of stories and songs selected to lift the spirits. Jackies story definitely fits. If Jackie can face, forgive, and thrive after what shes been though, anyone can find the courage to get though the normal difficulties of everyday life situations.