Linda Gilleland

Photo by BackRoadImages.net

Linda Gilleland, a retired school teacher, grew up in an agricultural family and graduated from college with a dual degree in sociology and elementary education. She has always loved the outdoors and animals—horses in particular. The first and most-loved book that she ever owned was Bambi, and as a young girl she was always bringing home stray animals. She married her husband, Bruce, and moved to the family farm and ranch in 1970. She has a wonderful son, Rader, an equally wonderful daughter-in-law, Hollie, and two beautiful grandchildren, Grace and Jack. She has been involved in many community service, school, and 4-H projects throughout her lifetime.

Originally, Linda wanted to write this story as a gift for her granddaughter, Grace. She wanted Grace to remember her legacy of agricultural life and how life used to be on the farm as Grace grew older and started her own family. Through this story, Linda wanted Grace to remember what life is really all about. This faith in love, kindness, and friendship between people and animals can be carried over into our individual lives and will give all of us, in time, many opportunities to make life nicer for someone else. So, with the encouragement of her husband and friends, Linda became an unintended author.