Mona grew up in Brooklyn, New York, with five siblings. Mona loved her siblings and her mom. She did not know that her mom suffered with an illness that would tear their family apart. Mona later lived with a father and new siblings she barely knew. Mona learned that her father was abusive and had a serious drug problem. Mona and her sister Emma went through hell before they were free. Mona would have to learn to teach herself about life and family hardships. Mona would see many of her dreams closed by doors that opened to more pain. Mona experienced life, love, pain, loss, and spirituality before she at last recognized her purpose.