Living Forward:
My Story, My Mission, and Our Journey Together
I never imagined my life would look like this. Growing up in the Midwest, I got married at 23, had three incredible children—two daughters (Cam who is 25 and Nat who is 23) and one son, Mitch—and pursued a meaningful career as a professional fundraiser here in St. Louis. Fast forward a few decades, and I’ve navigated divorce, singlehood, dating, and the immense challenges of loss. Around age 18, Mitch began struggling with addiction, and, despite our family’s efforts, we ultimately lost him to an accidental fentanyl overdose four years ago, just after his 25th birthday.
The Opioid Crisis in Perspective
As heartbreaking as it feels, Mitch’s story is not isolated. The opioid epidemic in the U.S. is a relentless force impacting families across the nation. Every day, more than 130 people in the United States die from opioid-related overdoses, and fentanyl—a synthetic opioid 50 times more potent than heroin—is responsible for the majority of these tragic losses. In 2022 alone, over 80,000 people died from opioid overdoses, with fentanyl at the center of this crisis. These numbers reflect just how many families, like mine, have been impacted by the epidemic, each loss a reminder of the urgent need for awareness, support, and resources.
Why Love Middle Life Exists
I created Love Middle Life to connect with other women in midlife who, like me, are determined to live meaningful lives after difficult experiences (and I know that we have ALL had them in one form or another). This platform isn’t only about my story; it’s about finding a way forward, together. For moms who have endured the impossible journey of losing a child to addiction—or those still fighting to save one—I want you to know that you are not alone.
5 Topics We’ll Deep Dive into Together
I’ll be diving into these topics in depth on Love Middle Life, so as you follow along, you’ll find supportive information and resources:
Understanding Grief and Resilience – How can we honor our grief while building resilience? We’ll explore ways to acknowledge our pain while finding strength to move forward.
Managing the Rollercoaster of Parenting Through Addiction – From setting boundaries to accessing support, we’ll cover what’s helped others who’ve walked this road.
Self-Care for the Long Haul – We’ll discuss practical self-care strategies, from journaling to mindfulness, to help restore balance.
Finding Your New Normal After Loss – Life doesn’t “go back” after a loss; it moves forward. Together, we’ll explore ways to create a life with purpose in the face of profound change.
Living with Purpose in the Second Act – How do we redefine happiness and fulfillment after loss…or just in general? This journey is about crafting a meaningful second act, honoring both
the past and the future.
Action Steps and Reflections for You
As you read through these topics, here are some “homework” prompts to consider in your journey:
Reflect on Your Own Story: Take 10 minutes to journal about where you’ve been, where you are, and where you want to go. What parts of your journey are you ready to share with others, and which ones need more space?
Create a “Living Forward” List: Write down three small goals for your own “second act.” These could be as simple as a daily walk, a commitment to reconnect with old friends, or starting a new creative project.
Honor Your Emotions: Loss brings waves of grief. Make a note of your feelings throughout the week, without judgment. Allow yourself to feel without needing to “fix” it immediately.
Identify Your Support Systems: Who in your life can you lean on? This could be family, friends, or a grief group. Reach out to one person this week.
Practice One Act of Self-Compassion: Self-compassion could mean resting, saying no to a request, or giving yourself credit for something you’ve done well.
Living Forward, Together
Love Middle Life is here to support you, wherever you’re at. Maybe you’re grieving a child, or perhaps you’re navigating a different loss or big change. My mission is to remind you that we’re capable of shaping our next chapters with courage and love. I’ll be here every step of the way, bringing tools, resources, and a whole lot of encouragement for this journey we’re on together.
If you’re ready, join me. Share your own story, connect with others here, and know that this is a space for healing, growth, and, most of all, living forward.
Thank you for being here, and let’s embrace what’s next, side by side.