How Grief Inspired One Woman to Take a Leap of Faith

Since I was little I have always been a person who loves helping people. It’s in my nature and it is truly a part of who I am. When I was younger, my family took in my grandparents who were having health issues because that’s what people do. I always enjoyed helping them and growing up with them. I think that’s where I really learned from my family, about what is important in life; it’s relationships with others and helping each other. It’s not necessarily about what you get back but it’s about what makes you happy.

This is something my mom instilled in me. My mom had always been a guiding force in my life, and my best friend. When asked in the past if we were sisters, she was always delighted. Unfortunately, my mom who was an amazing mother and my best friend thought she had the flu one day. As it got worse we went to the hospital and they kept coming back and saying it wasn’t cancer. However, on May 6^th 2015, everything changed for my family when they came back and said it was inoperable stomach cancer. My beautiful mother passed away on July 2nd of the same year.

She was incredibly sick making it so hard to watch her in her last days. I took a leave of work to be with her and make the most of the time we had. She was so incredibly strong and beautiful at this time. Most people while facing their mortality would be complaining, especially being so sick. She tried to keep as strong as she could, while hardly complaining. She just tried to keep enjoying the moments she had with my sister and I and have talks, which I am truly grateful for.

I was working a Monday to Friday job in a different field at the time. When she was home with palliative care, she told me she hasn’t seen me this happy in a long time. This caught me off guard and I was like what are you talking about, it was the worst time of my life. She said you’re so much happier when you’re not there. It was my job at that time, the job everyone stays in because it’s Monday to Friday and there is a pension and benefits. I loved what I did but it was a toxic environment and no room for growth. Later that year when I was back at work I was in my office and I had an ‘aha’ moment, hearing my mom in my head about my happiness, along with my job making me sick. I was truly heartbroken without my mom, grief is a terrible thing but I was still determined to help myself and others in another way. So I decided to start working for myself. I got on that roller coaster of entrepreneurship, and boy it’s been a ride but I haven’t looked back and I’m so glad I decided to take a leap of faith. So many people are afraid of ‘what ifs’ and failures; there is always going to be things that don’t go the way you want but peace of mind, happiness and self-respect are what really matters. We spend so much time at work, it’s important. Grief could have taken me down a really dark road and I honestly have my hard moments but instead, I’ve tried to make my mom proud. I started working for myself and helping small businesses and entrepreneurs. I am proud to say I have met a lot of amazing people doing amazing things. I would not have been able to take this leap of faith without the support of my family and my best friend Meg Button. I still have a lot to learn, a lot to grow but I have wanted to go slow and steady while grieving my mom’s death. I got Rosy, my mom an angel on my side people, so look out, I am ready to go, I am here to support you! I love working with local talent to support local businesses and help people grow in their business. Stop being afraid and have faith, take a chance on yourself. I’m sure glad I did.

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