The Day I Cut the Locks Off

Marilyn A. Sims is a born again believer chosen by God before the foundation of the world to bring peace to hurting souls. She was born in Jackson, Tenn. where she spent most of her summer vacations as a child. Nevertheless, she was raised in Chicago, IL where she graduated from Farragut High School and obtained a Secretarial Certificate from Taylor Business Institute. She received IBM PC Computer training from Robert Morris College. She is divorced after a marriage of 21 years. She currently resides in Chicago, Illinois. She is the proud mother of three fabulous daughters Marketta, Shalonda, and Larencia. She has an exuberant joy because of her five grandchildren Lydia, Aaliyah, Amaya, identical twin boys Isaac, Isaiah and Micah. One of her first gifts to surface was that of a poet. Her first book, "Soaring In Christ", a collection of poetry, has bought laughter, inspiration, and encouragement to men and women of all walks of life. She was crowned poet of the year in 1999 by the International Poets Society. She is a vocalist and has recorded with world renowned gospel singer Jesse Dixon. She has also recorded with Faith Cathedral's Radio Choir under the direction of DeAndre Patterson where Apostle Donald L. Alford is the pastor. She was featured as a guest soloist on Colier McNair's CD singing "You Stay". She is a songwriter and has written and recorded several songs such as "Sisters Of Love", " I Want To Be Like Him" and "Don't Look Back" She was blessed to write the 2006 UW Odyssey Project Class song, "Knowledge Is The Key". She has had her writings published in "The Odyssey Oracle" and in "Umoja" magazine. She is a faithful member of Jesus Outreach Ministry under the leadership of Pastor Cecelia Ellis. She is employed with Loyola University Chicago as a Residence Hall Monitor. She is a graduate of the UW Odyssey Project and has taken some Liberal Arts Transfer courses the Madison Area Technical College.