Aldous takes pride in his well-formatted ability to remain in control. To achieve such a goal, he securely locks deep within himself all elements from the seven decades of his past that could shake his precisely placed footing. Then a new family moves across the street, and with it, a five-year-old boy named Dakota with an uncanny ability to gnaw under Aldous's skin. Bit by bit, Aldous's carefully placed façade peels away, allowing God's enduring love to push Aldous to face his past and bring him to his knees, asking God's forgiveness while finding new freedom. To forgive is to give up on the wish for a different past so that we might embrace the present. The Hidden Diamond is a powerful story of forgiveness. As a survivor of many forms of abuse, including molestation, I have made it a lifetime mission to break those chains of abuse so that I would not pass that curse onto my children. The Hidden Diamond developed out of my struggle to heal and find peace. I steadfastly believe God loves us all. God never gives up on anyone, even those whose sins have brought far more harm than good into this world. I formatted Aldous's character from my effort to forgive and understand what demons had tormented those who had violated my childhood. Writing has become one of my most important healing tools. In my journey toward wholeness, I have learned that forgiveness is a crucial ingredient. We each have wounds that beg to be mended. Only God's love provides us the strength so that we may forgive and fully heal.