Joyce E. Perrin penned stories when young, but what held her interest throughout life was the blue bound set of books at home called Lands and People, which had pictures and explained about countries around the world. She found herself imagining visiting new nations, talking to the people, tasting their foods, and learning about their culture.
In high school her interests included participating in sports such as senior basketball and figure skating, and she was head cheerleader for the senior boys’ basketball games. Ultimately, teaching swimming and synchronized swimming were her passions. She competed in the Canadian synchronized swimming championships, swam for the University of Alberta and the Edmonton Aquadettes swim teams in individual, pairs, and team competitions, and won many prizes.
Joyce achieved the highest award in Girl Guiding, the Gold Cord, and represented Canada with ten others at an International Girl Guide camp in Sweden. At the camp she met Lady Olave Baden-Powell, the founder of the Girl Guide movement. Lady Baden-Powell was an inspiration to Joyce and during her lifetime was her role model. Her quote, “Happiness comes not from what we have but from what we give and what we share,” has been a guiding light for Joyce.
Joyce married immediately after graduating from the University of Alberta with a BS in nursing. She worked in nursing administration with the Visiting Nurse Association. After her three children were in school, she attended graduate school and obtained her diploma in hospital administration and was appointed Chief Executive Officer of a Toronto hospital.
Life changed when Joyce and her husband went their separate ways, and after her three children were married, she was free from responsibilities for others. She resigned from her Canadian senior healthcare job to travel the world on her solo journey.
After touring the seven continents Joyce settled in the Republic of Panama, where she cofounded the voluntary Panama Hospice and Respite Foundation. This organization helped Panamanians and expatriates maneuver through the healthcare system at the end of life. 
Now totally blind in one eye, and an eighty-six-year-old breast cancer survivor, she finished writing her book and finds herself giving support to other cancer survivors and has volunteered as a patient, family, and care partner with the local regional Durham Ontario Health Team since its inception.
She celebrates writing this book, hoping it inspires you to follow your passion no matter how long it takes.
Joyce makes her home in the greater Toronto area in Canada.  Now back home, she enjoys her family and her eleven grandchildren.