If I'm being honest, coping with loss started at the age of nine. Upon my parents separating, moving away from all of my friends and family, and my father starting his incarceration journey. I didn't realize it then, but I now understand those major life changes caused childhood trauma, depression, anxiety, and prolonged grief.
Throughout, my life I have experienced some form of bereavement. Still, it wasn't until my father suddenly became ill, diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic cancer, that I became his hospice caregiver, and watching him take his last breath within two months did I experience complicated grief.
Complicated grief almost ruined my life, for two years I was full of hurt, anger, addiction, and suicidal ideation. Until one night after gambling and being lit, I prayed that God would end my life. I am happy to say God did not answer my prayer.
From that day forward, I vowed to fight for myself and transform the pain of grief into passion. I wanted to become the person I wished I had during my darkest moments, guiding others through their healing journeys with wellness coaching and grief support.
