I’ve been reflecting on my journey through life—and noticing the gifts that grief and heartbreak have given me.

Soon after Cory transitioned, he came to me in a dream and said,

“I need you to face your fears, Mom, because you have a big job ahead of you. And it’s going to require a lot of courage.”

From that day forward, I chose to face my fears… to allow and open to Love.

Don’t get me wrong—it wasn’t easy.

I was walking through one of the most traumatic experiences a person can endure. But I kept choosing to show up for myself.

Each time I faced a fear, I grew a little stronger, a little braver—until one day I realized how much courage I had cultivated within me.

A couple of years into my grief journey, I faced more heartbreak—first in my marriage, then in relationships that followed.

Each one broke me open even more.

And that was exactly what I needed.

Through grief and heartbreak, I met the parts of myself that were deeply wounded and abandoned.

I learned to literally love the hell out of myself.

I became best friends with those parts of me that had suffered so much—and now love so deeply.

I built genuine trust with my human self, so that whenever she arises, she knows: I AM here for her.

If you’re out there wondering how to move forward in your own grief journey, I encourage you—be brave.

Choosing to face your fears and invest your time, money, and energy in your healing is the most loving thing you can ever do for yourself.

And one day, you’ll look back and say, “Dang… look how far I’ve come.”