This space was born out of love and out of loss. Some lives are shaped by a single loss. Mine has been shaped by many significant losses. Most recently and most harshly, one of my beloved sons.
I am a mom of three incredible boys. I am also learning to live in the after. My middle son, Wesley, was fearfully and wonderfully made. He had significant special and complex medical needs including autism. He was a gift and gave the best hugs. Our sweet boy passed away suddenly on February 21, 2026 at the age of 24 after medical complications from aspiration pneumonia and infective endocarditis.
Caring for him was constant and being his mom was my highest honor. He was my world and it is shattered yet I am learning to navigate this deep grief.
I am also someone who has lived through my first husband’s suicide after a long battle with addiction. Some of my writings are reflections on being the survivor and the aftermath.
Faith is woven through all my writings. It is part of who I am as much as the grief, struggle, hope, despair, confusion, determination, persistence, and remaining love even after death.
I grew up in the US Air Force. After graduating from New York University in 1991, I spent years as a professional ballet dancer with Ballet Hispanico.
During Covid, my now husband, Steve, and I began a non-profit feeding those in need. We owned the area’s only non-profit food truck and gave away over 90,000 free meals.
In 2024 I became a licensed provider through Virginia’s Sponsored Residential Program and cared for Wesley. I still hold the license and aim to help other families keep their adult children with special needs at home.
My primary purpose and “occupation” for most of my adult life was caring for Wesley and my other boys.
I have two other boys and five adult step-children. We live in Virginia.
I write to make sense of grief, to honor my son, and to help others feel less alone in their own “after.”
If you’re here, I’m really glad you found your way to this space.