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Elizabeth Benlian Dianovich
I was born in former Communist Bulgaria (Eastern Europe), behind the iron curtain, during the end of WWII. During 1944 Bulgaria became a satellite of Soviet Russia. At that time the Communist block...view moreI was born in former Communist Bulgaria (Eastern Europe), behind the iron curtain, during the end of WWII. During 1944 Bulgaria became a satellite of Soviet Russia. At that time the Communist block was formed, which included East Germany, Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, Hungary, Czechoslovakia , Yugoslavia. During my early childhood years I remember living with my family under Communist oppression. The Communist Government was deliberately causing food shortages with the purpose to control the population. They were forcing people to be closed in with an iron curtain and unable to travel to the West. During 1950’s my aunt (my father’s middle sister),who was an Armenian with all her family got out of Communist Bulgaria and moved to Paris, France. Later they went to live in Jamaica, New York. At that time some ethnic groups (it was an open window) could leave Bulgaria and many left. But my parents could not make a decision and lost the chance to leave the country. I received some letters from my relatives in New York and I was invited to visit them. I started to dream to go to America.
I remember my mother took me to church, when I was in elementary school. I never heard about the gospel of Jesus Christ. For many years I felt spiritual emptiness. In my early 20’s I prayed for 5 years to God to get me out of former Communist Bulgaria. He heard me and opened the door of opportunity. After my successful escape on the Orient Express train(1960’s) and God’s help and protection over my life, I was still not able to see the Lord’s mercy and unconditional love for me. After I lived eight years in Flushing, New York, I got married and moved to Austin, Texas. I prayed to God to give me the gift to write. After I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior I started to write in my mid 40’s. During 1990 I had my first attempt to write. I wrote my first adult/children book titled “The Frog And The Porcupine Dreaming For A Better World”. Then my first poem was written during 1994 titled “Little Boy Zachary”. It was about a premature baby of a youth pastor. During 1996for Valentine’s day contest I wrote my first wining poem titled “To My Better Half” and won on Christian talk radio KIXL 590 in Austin, Texas. I also won a silver medal in Senior writing contest in Temple, Texas for my poem” My Good Ol’ neighbor and her black Fidgety Cat”.(May 1996). I won the Editor’s choice award from the National Library of poetry for the poem titled “ To You Always I Submit My Fear”. For the years 1998,1999,2000 I was chosen to be International Writer by the National Library of poetry.
As former New Yorker, it was on my heart, to write poems about the terrible tragedy and loss of lives on September 11, 2001.My memorial poetry book, “Remembering Sep.11,2001” was written to mend broken hearts, and to show the patriotism of many firefighters, EMS workers, policemen.
During 2003 , I wrote a short story for “Writing Austin’s Lives” a community project with the University of Texas, Humanities Institute of Austin, Texas. For the Austin Senior Games (2004, I wrote the poem “ I am Still Climbing The Mountain”, and received a gold medal. I lived for many years in sin and bondage to alcohol. I accepted Jesus like Lord and Savior and He changed my life forever. I write my books for the glory of the Lord, who can reach people and give them hope and future. Jesus is the only one, who can bring harmony between mind, soul and body.view less