Children are not supposed to die before their parents. It happens a lot these days. After losing my 22-year-old son Tristin to overdose in 2019, I dove deep into my healing journey that not only healed my broken heart, but it transformed my whole life. I found my authentic self, my relationships with others improved, my health improved and I found what I believe is my purpose: teaching others to heal from their past emotional experiences.

My greatest tragedy was also my greatest gift, and it is a gift that truly keeps giving. Through my healing journey, I found a better understanding of life, of who I am, of how conditioned we are as a society and how easily we get caught in a cycle of suffering and not even realizing it.

You only know what you know. When you find a deeper understanding of your journey, when you learn to heal and how to truly live life, you find freedom. Freedom is powerful. When you experience true freedom-from your past, from your pain-you will never allow yourself to go back to suffering. Many stay stuck in suffering, because they have yet to have that first experience of freedom.

I have so much gratitude for my past, including the journey with my son. When you can experience that type of gratitude, you know you have found healing and freedom.

I share my story as I know there are many others who have fallen into suffering from past emotional experiences. I want people to know that healing can happen, and, yes, it can be a painful process, but the freedom and the joy it brings is so worth it, and you are not alone. You are never alone.