Javier Lopez was born in Northeast Los Angeles. He is a Marine Corps veteran. While serving in the Marines, he had the chance to visit different parts of the country and got to live in Okinawa, Japan. His experience living with the Okinawans inspired him to learn more about other cultures. He has been writing poetry since the early age of thirteen. He loves getting lost in the words of his poetry, and especially loves seeing the smiles on the faces of those he shares his poems with. He is excited to share his poems and Don's stories with the world. Javier currently lives in Brentwood, California, in the Bay Area. He is married to his lovely wife Holly, who is Don's daughter. Together, they have four beautiful

children, Antonio, Sebastian, Chloe, and Giana, as well as their family dog Roxy, all who have helped inspire him to write these poems.