The spelling checker didn't find any problems.

I have suffered through my entire life as a person who can not spell.

I'm intelligent, creative, and EXTREMELY well read. Based upon that criteria alone, I should be able to spell with the best of them. But I can't. As a flaw, it is further encumbered by my choice of careers; which always seem to be in the publishing field.

You can't imagine how often I was picked at about my inability to spell by editors, proofers, or writers I've worked with. You've never had your boss suggest you send outgoing emails to the editorial department before sending them out. Never finished an outstanding layout for a new book cover only to have everyone laugh and talk about the misspelled word on the cover . . . for weeks.

The inability to spell has been the bane of my existence. And don't think I've not tried to do something about it, I have. I've read books on the subject, I use my spell checker, I've learned little tricks over the years for certain words. It's just not enough.

I finally learned to accept it as just part of who I am. I honestly think I'm a little dyslexic. I didn't grow up in an environment where anyone cared enough to test me, so I just stumbled through life. But even when I key, my letters and words get jumbled all the time. I've just adapted.

I have had to accept that while I can do many things as well as, or better, than others; spelling isn't one of them.

But when I do write an email, post, or letter and hit the spell check button, nothing makes me feel better than to see . . .

The spelling checker didn't find any problems.