My Story

Love, Loss, Healing and Triumph

In the early morning hours of June 24, 2017,
my husband, Bobby, took his last breath, in
spite of the gallant efforts to save his life.

I heard the words… “I’m sorry. There is nothing more we can do.”

I was in shock. I could not wrap my head around the fact that my beloved life partner and best friend was gone.

Ours was a marriage filled with love, laughter and friendship. How could this unthinkable thing happen? How could this seemingly healthy, beautiful man die without warning?

From that terrible moment on life was a blur of pain, sorrow, fear and anxiety.

As the days dragged by, I moved through them like a robot… numb… merely going through the motions. The sun shined brightly every day, but my world was gray and hopeless, and it stayed that way for months and months — until the day I wanted to start living again.

A trusted friend suggested that counseling might help, as it had helped her after she lost her partner just a few weeks after Bobby died. Her suggestion led me to two women who work together as a team. They proved to be a perfect match for me.

After beginning our work together, something miraculous happened….

I started to feel better. The numbness lifted and I began to feel hopeful again. My broken spirit was beginning to be restored and my resilience was growing stronger.

As my broken heart started to heal, a spark… then a flame began to burn inside me. I knew the next phase of my life was meant to help others like me heal… to regain their strength and resiliency… enhance the quality of their lives… and learn how to make the best of life after loss. I became passionate about it. And I turned that passion into creating a practice, and a private, online member community for grievers.

And so, out of the worst pain, despair and intense sorrow I’ve ever faced came a whole new chapter filled with healing, hope, love and triumph — and this private, online grief support community, Surviving Life After Loss, came to life. It was created for people who need a safe place of compassion, encouragement, sharing, hope and courage.

It has been a few years since my love left this earth…

The memories remain, he rarely leaves my thoughts and he is loved and missed beyond measure.

Still, the one thing I feel certain of is that if he’s watching, and he is proud of me for doing my best to live my best life.

I’m living proof that it’s possible to heal, rebuild and live a purposeful life. You can do the same and quite possibly become a better version of yourself in the process. You won’t ever be the same. You will never forget. Yet, you can embrace life and be whole again.

I understand what you’re going through and I know there are times when the last thing you want is help or support from anyone. But… I hope you will reach out anyway. You need to. You will feel better for it.

I hope you will share your story with the Surviving Life After Loss community. You don’t know who it might help. And tell someone who is grieving, or knows someone who is grieving, about this community.

Help and support can change your life in ways you can’t possibly imagine or foresee. 💞

Warmly,