To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary.
To one without faith, no explanation is possible.

- St. Thomas Aquinas, 1225-1274

For over 20 years, I have lived in America and, throughout these years, I have experienced the joy and excitement of being a Filipino-American and the pain and challenges that come with living my life in two different worlds. For almost half of my life, I have lived in a world quite different from where I was born.

My full name, Imelda Roberts, speaks of the two worlds in which I have lived, a marriage of two cultures - a real east and west story. A clash of faith and reality, but no matter how deep the dilemmas got, my deep and abiding trust in God always prevailed.

My namesake was the infamous former First Lady of the Philippines who has made Imelda synonymous with owning 3000 pairs of shoes. A lot of times, my name was associated with this image. In reality, the name Imelda has its roots in the African and Arabic word, Imena, which means “faith and dreams.” In spirit, this is who I really am – Imena, a journey of faith and dreams!

Through this book, I invite you to take a journey with me as I take a big leap of faith, and unveil my barefooted soul. Once and for all, I hope the “Barefooted Soul” will be a source of honest reflection as I reclaimed the very part of me I lost simply because I ignored it for so long.

From my childhood dreams to my epiphany at 50, to my souldefining moments, join me and peek into the highlights of my life that have made me who I am today.

When you read the 40 soulful stories I wrote in 40 consecutive nights, I wonder if you will cry or laugh with me, be amazed, be dazzled or surprised at how a lady, less than five feet tall, has surpassed many tests of life. But, most of all, though my world is not a perfect world, I hope my life stories will inspire you to find your own spirit, uniqueness and your own perfect state of mind!

Come and take a journey with me …

Will you see the failures I have made along the way, or the strength and
resilience I have gained?

Will you accept me for a life’s decision different from yours, or will you
judge and cast a stone just because we are different?

Will you shed a tear when I break my shoes from the long tumultuous journey I have traveled, or will the wisdom and colorful perspectives it has
provided me inspire your own world?

Will you laugh at me when my shoe is on the other foot, or will you understand we all make mistakes?

Will you discover the kindred spirit of companionship and true friendship,
or find an enemy bitter with revenge?

Will you step into my world just because you envy me, or will you join me
and be happy for, finally, I have reached my destiny?

Will you dance with me and celebrate what I have become and, in the end,
will you see me as a Cinderella when my true love has begun?

Whatever it is, I do hope you will join me on my soulful journey that will transcend your own hopes and faith, and trust that a Supreme Being is with and in all of us.

Come and take a journey with me as I share my heart songs and the stories of my Barefooted Soul!

Together, let’s discover our own inner gifts, life’s lessons and indelible footprints for a better world!

Imelda Roberts