Miriam Isabel Elliott arrived to the United States from Cuba in 1970, along with her mother and brother, in search of the opportunity and freedom denied to them by a communist regime. She has two daughters, Rebecca and Melissa, both of whom were born in the United States. It has always been her mission to teach her children to value their freedom and to love America. It is the author’s intention, through her work, to honor the children of our military during these difficult times and to bring attention to their silent sacrifice. The author found inspiration for Solita and the Purple Moon when her daughter, Melissa, a United States Marine, was serving in Iraq; leaving her one year old daughter, Madison, behind.