About Me
Content note: This section describes the loss of a loved one to suicide and includes brief mention of how he was found. Please read with care if this is a sensitive topic for you.
My Story of Loss, Healing, and Transformation
My life seemed meaningless after I lost my former husband Steve to suicide in 2005. I was the one to find him dead in our basement from multiple gunshot wounds to his head, and in that moment, everything changed in an instant. Immediately, I fell into a state of shock and was subsequently diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
The Darkness That Followed
As a result, doing my job as a systems analyst became impossible. Furthermore, I grew deeply depressed and found myself longing to leave this world and be with Steve. Yet something within me — a quiet, persistent force — kept me from it, and that is what led me to seek help. Even so, in the midst of grief, there was a source inside me that wanted to survive, to thrive, and to live a purposeful life.
My Awakening
It was then that I began my journey of self-discovery and experienced my personal awakening. I released my old beliefs and allowed new ones to flow in. My thinking began to shift, and I asked for guidance from a power greater than myself. I came to understand that there is good in this universe available to all of us — and that I had every right to claim it.
Choosing to Transform
That understanding brought meaning back into my life. I no longer saw my story as over. Instead, I saw it as an invitation to transform. I seized a new chance to create the life I truly wanted — and I began by learning to be present in each moment. From that place, I built a new identity and started doing the things I loved.
A New Life and a New Love
I discovered Argentine tango dancing, which led me to my husband Gerry. We shared a deep passion for it. You can watch us dance here. I came to understand that happiness is not reserved for the lucky few — it is available to all of us. The only thing required is a willingness to receive it. When you do, good things begin to find their way in.
My Purpose
That journey is what led me to write self-help books and become a transformational teacher and speaker. My purpose is to help you see that your life can be full and meaningful again — even after devastating loss.
It’s not the end. It’s the beginning.
Update, 2019: Walking My Own Path Again
Today, my life is once again touched by grief. Sadly, my husband Gerry died unexpectedly in our home from an aneurysm on September 28, 2019. As a result, it was another sudden, shocking loss. Now, once again, I find myself doing what I teach — moving through grief with the tools and beliefs I have spent years cultivating. In the meantime, I take comfort in my belief that Gerry is at peace, reunited with Steve and others who have gone before. Nevertheless, I hold onto what I know to be true: there is still good ahead for me.
See my Credentials here: