This bio may read a little different than the usual biographical format. (I put that in my credentials.) You see, my whole life turned upside down on a journey that at first seemed a sort of nightmare. Do you remember the bible verse about 'looking through a glass darkly, but then face to face'? Well, I guess that is why I share this story with you. It's mine---my face, my story. You have one, too. And, yours is just as amazing and beautiful. As you read mine, may you remember yours. Then write it down and read it back to yourself. For as you do you just may hear the sweet whispers and find little miracles just showering down all around you. And know this:
Wise Woman, you are very loved no matter what!
A few years ago I found myself at a crossroads in my life, not one that initially would be considered a blessing until later. My life as I knew it came to a complete halt; a career that I always thought I would have, ended abruptly one morning at Christmastime on black ice. Subsequently, a ridiculous and freakish fall had caused me to lose the use of my right arm and hand with nerve damage in my neck, arm and complications with my shoulder and rib cage that hung out with me for about five years. Oh, boy!
I became homebound and very dependent on others, my family especially. A role reversal had immediately been thrust upon me. As a wife, mom and teacher, I had to learn to let go and receive from others. I had to learn to depend on others for all those little things I took for granted, like brushing my teeth and buttoning a blouse.
Every dark wintry day was a challenge for me. My bruised ego left me feeling pretty bewildered and very sorry for myself. I had to constantly make myself look for and count my many blessings. I gradually became somewhat stronger though, thank goodness, a bit more determined and had gained a little of my independence and confidence back (as long as I wasn’t near ice) and was learning to “make do” with my left hand and arm. It wasn't easy. It made me angry, and I cried quite often.
But one unusually cold and icy Kentucky winter evening, something happened that I hadn't shared with many except my family. My husband, in a new job that involved quite a bit of traveling, was out of town. Our daughter, Shannon, was away at college. It was just our youngest, Erinn, and myself at home for the week. As my luck would have it, she had to be at a dance recital practice about twenty minutes away. There was no one available to take her but me; it was most important that she be there as she had a special dance number. And, I was determined that I would get her there no matter what!
The weather was terrible, very, very cold and icy, a truly scary thing for me, since I had to drive with my arm and hand still in a cast, not being able to turn my head due to the damaged nerves in my neck. "What was I thinking, out in the night like this, with my most precious child?" I chastised myself! I had no sound reason or clue for the predicament I had put daughter and myself in.
As I dropped her off for this rehearsal, I made things even worse with the great decision to go to a nearby grocery so as to make good use of my time, instead of driving all the way back home and then back again. I was very exhausted and hurting; that cold, icy wind only amplified the pain in my arm, now numbing-- I had no feeling in my hand, no circulation. I had to make literally make myself exit the store!
Walking out to my car with a full cart, I noticed there was no one around; no one to help…”What have I done?” I thought to myself. “Probably one of the dumbest things ever in my lifetime!” I could hear my ego snidely commenting. Not only had I managed to purchase way too many groceries without assistance, but there was major ice on the pavement; and that cutting wind was chilling to the bone!
After a major struggle to get the groceries into the trunk of my car, I looked around for the return bin…no such luck---naturally! The nearest one was a couple lanes over and quite a few spaces down. "How did I let this happen?" So close to tears, in pain and feeling more than foolish… “Well,” I thought to myself, “this time I’ll just set the cart in the space next to mine. Enough is enough!”
As I turned to go back around to the driver’s side of my car--- my cart started rolling! I just stood there, shaking my head with eyes and mouth wide open, wondering what else could possibly happen that evening! The cart continued to roll straight ahead to the adjacent parking space, then right out into the driving lane! I couldn’t believe it…I was going to have to chase that stupid cart down! What a nightmare! What else, in God's name, could possibly happen now?!
Before I could move, something happened that seems to unbelievable to mention---the cart took a left and begin coasting down the driving lane. As I stood in total disbelief and utter amazement, I watched that cart go down the lane seven parking spaces, make a right and park itself right in the return bin!
Silence…
except for my breathing,
as if every cell in my body
took a breath
in unison.
I could feel my heart
pounding through my heavy coat.
Such stillness …
I looked up at the sky,
so clear and sparkling
with a million stars,
the icy tears streaming down my face,
I couldn't speak or even think,
as if I was floating,
a surrealistic moment out of nowhere.
Suddenly, as time stood still,
I felt the Grace of God
gently breathe through me,
gifting within me,
as I finally exhaled,
the sweetest and purest ‘knowing’
that I was truly not alone...
never, ever.
I felt so safe, so very loved;
and right then, as I took a breath
in that moment out of time,
my precious new journey with the
The Gift created itself.
Do you know what your gift is? Are you ready to begin your journey to find out? We will travel together in a magnificent coaching relationship. Come...retreat with me! Take a breath...a moment out of time for the time of your life! You can do this.
Owner/CEO The Gift & Wise WomanSoul Grace in Action
Author
Daddy, I Remember
Hope and Healing for Families of Alzheimer's
The Gift LC Publishing 2004
Harmony House Publishers 2005
The Elder Godiva's Ride: One Wise Woman's Story
Freeing Godiva A Woman's Journey of Self-Empowerment
edited by Insight Publishing 2011
Grace in Action
The Power of Change Reinventing Yourself at Any Age
edited by Linda Eastman PWN 2011
The Labyrinth Within
The Power of a Woman Embracing the Woman Within
edited by Linda Eastman PWN 2011
Through a Glass Darkly
CSI Courageous Stories of Inspiration
edited by Insight Publishing 2012
Your Story..Your Music..The Journey of Your Life
Releasing Strongholds Letting Go of What's Holding You Back
edited by Linda Eastmans PWN 2012
Speaker/Keynote/Seminar/Workshop/Breakout
PWN International Speakers Bureau
The Professional Woman Network
Certified Woman's Empowerment Coach
Kentucky Coaches Alliance (now OVPCA)
President/Chapter Leader 2008- 2010
VP/President-Elect 2006-2008
Secretary 2005-2006
International Coach Federation Lexington, Kentucky
ACC 2006 -present
Coach for Life, San Diego, California
(affiliated coach training school International Coach Federation)
Basic Life Coach Training 2003
Certified Life Coach Training 2005
Retreat Coach Network
(Master Coach Trainer Helene Van Manen Pueblo Colorado)
Certified Retreat Coach
SOMAenergetics Sound Therapy
Certification Ancient Solfeggio Tuning Forks
International Center for Reiki Training
(Usui Tibetan Reiki Master Teacher Julie E Brent
Karuna (R) Reiki Master Teacher Julie E Brent)
First and Second Degree Reiki Training 2003
Advanced Reiki Training 2003
Usui/Tibetan Reiki Master/Teacher 2006
Registered Karuna Reiki Master/Teacher 2009
Earth-Heart Reiki Training 2011
Oneness University with Sri Amma Bhagavan
(Chuck Reynolds. North America Trainer Oneness University)
Oneness Blessing Giver Certification
Foundation for Inspired Learning
(Peter J Reding founder)
Chartered member inspired educator certification
2003-present
University Of Louisville Louisville Kentucky
BA 1970
MEd 1973
Educator 1970-2003
Herbalife International Los Angeles CA
Wellness and Nutrition Coach Trainer 2006-2010
El Dorado Rose Music
owner/singer/songwriter BMI
