Pearls of Wisdom Love, Loss, and Liberty

'Pearls of Wisdom' is a book of poetry by a veteran who has experienced love, loss, and the priceless freedom of liberty. Her writing creates a cocoon to absorb the steady flow of emotions from a person who has lived a vast and diverse life. The words are shared through poetic stories that allow the reader a glimpse into the vulnerable aspects of human existence.


Within these pages you are taken on a ride of new beginnings, devastating ends, and inspirational comebacks that will leave you in quiet contemplation. The writing begs the question, what 'Pearls of Wisdom' you can bestow upon our world?

Misty Pearl Ely, LCSW was born in Pasadena Texas and now resides in Arlington Texas with her children. She is the Clinical Director for a rehabilitation program for justice involved veterans in McKinney.
Upon graduating high school in 1997 she joined the Marines where she served on active duty for nine years as an administrative clerk. While in the Marines she married another active duty service member and traveled the world with their two children. Two Marines battling with post-traumatic stress disorder and endless anxiety could last only so long. After fifteen years of marriage they called it quits and finally sought the help they both needed. They have finally learned to love themselves and to be accepting of each other's flaws.
While on active duty Misty obtained her Bachelor's degree in Social Psychology. She went on to pursue a Master's in Behavioral Medicine because she wanted a better understanding of the world of pharmaceuticals and the impact on veterans. For six years after leaving the Marines, Misty worked several different positions including probation, administration at a federal prison, and substance use prevention and education. Every job she tried seemed meaningless compared to her time in the Marines; she had lost her sense of purpose. While stationed in Iwakuni Japan, Misty began working on the base with Marines and Sailors that had gotten in trouble with alcohol and were sent to her for classes. This was when she realized that working with veterans was her calling. She understood what they were going through, and they understood her. The rapport was almost instant, and she could feel the growing need to do more.
After leaving Japan, Misty decided to go back to school and received her Master's in Social Work, with an emphasis on military social work. She graduated in 2014 and has been a therapist to veterans in her local community ever since. Misty is currently pursuing her doctorate in education in Community Counseling: Traumatology. She has finished all of her academic classes and is working on her dissertation proposal.
When Misty is not counseling, doing homework, running her children to extracurricular activities or other mommy chores, she enjoys reading, writing, painting, and walking. She absolutely loves to teach and attends conference throughout the state to speak on veteran mental health concerns and growing needs. "Saving the world one veteran at a time" is how she would like to be remembered. She simply wants to make the world a better place for veterans entrusted to her care and all those she calls friends.

One sentence about who she is:
She loved with every ounce of who she was, gave more than she ever had, and reminded the world that dreams do come true for those who believe in their own power, strength, and courage.