One of the best tools I've ever learned, personally and professionally, is what I call the "Earthquake Model of Women's Mental Health." It's actually a tool that can be used for male and female mental and emotional health, but it's been especially helpful in my...
I've been offline for the past several weeks. I had intended to be diligently working on my latest book, building new online courses, speaking, and spending as much time as possible enjoying summer break with my kids. But life happened, again, and changed my path...
It's been many years since my youngest sister died, and almost ten since my closest sister died. It's been years since my two grandfathers died, since my one aunt died, since my many grandparents-in-law died, and 8 years since my precious father-in-law died. It's been...
Today, October 17th, is “Shannon day,” the day my sister died, eight years ago. When Shannon died, it was so unexpected, so traumatic, so tragic, so unbelievable, it sent my entire family reeling for years. Not only did we inherit our nephews and have a...
**I realize this is a tough subject to talk about, and I do speak very candidly in this article about some painful, but important, things. If you are in a vulnerable place right now and in any way feel triggered by these topics, then please...
Birthdays and death anniversary days have been on my mind. Monday was my sister, Shannon’s, birthday. She would have been thirty-nine. Thirty-nine! It’s hard to imagine. She’s forever frozen in my memory at thirty-one. My youngest sister, Miki, who died twenty-two years ago, is forever frozen...
As I write, it’s a few days before Valentine’s Day. The world seems to be covered in pink and red, candy hearts, and flowers; it's beautiful. I, however, am thinking of those who don’t have a Valentine this year. Love, Loss, & Valentine’s Day Perhaps it’s because...
I am no stranger to death and suicide. My sister died of an overdose of alcohol and acetaminophen in 2007, leaving behind her two young sons whom my husband and I are now raising. We’d already lost my brother-in-law to skin cancer just months before,...