My Story

In 2011, my husband Michael, my companion of 32 years, died suddenly right in front of me. I went into shock, deep mourning, and confusion. I couldn’t shake the grief, and after a year had passed, I realized I was beginning to rely too heavily on friends and family to make me feel better. I needed to do something big and scary and wonderful, to snap out of the pain and to learn how to be happy again. At the age of 52, I realized I needed to grow up and learn how to take care of myself. So, I planned a year of travel. I took a sabbatical from my job as a teacher, rented my house out, and took off. This year had a profound impact on my life. I became more self-sufficient and confident and found my joy again. I learned how to rely on myself to create my own happiness. It took me about 18 months to pay off this trip after I returned home, but it was worth every penny. I met my current husband about six months after my return home and created a new and joy-filled life.