Life often unfolds in unexpected ways, challenging us to adapt to circumstances beyond our control. For me, my life took a drastic turn, altering the course of my existence forever. My plans, once filled with aspirations for my beloved son, now lay buried beside him, shattered by the cruel hands of fate.
I had envisioned a future where my son would thrive, finally being good with himself, and standing ten toes down in his identity as a young man. Dreams of him settling down, witnessing him exchange vows, and perhaps even embarking on a culinary adventure together (would he need me to be a co-owner in a restaurant venture???), danced around in my mind. But life, as it so often does, had other plans.
Tragically, my son’s life was cut short, stolen by senseless violence. In the wake of his untimely departure, my world crumbled, leaving me to navigate through shock, denial, grief and loss. Instead of his dreams or mine, now I had loss.
Then here came the prophecies of me writing books (as in plural, LOL), something I never imagined and something I did not know how to do.
I am no writer, nor did I possess any knowledge of the arduous path to becoming an author. However, driven by a need to make sense of my shattered reality, I poured my heart and soul onto the pages of my memoir—Pathway to Peace.
Writing became my sanctuary. It caused me to look at me, and my story in ways that I had not done before. It made me think about times where I would have made different decisions if I could have, and helped me to process through life, as I’ve known it. Writing also helped me to do something new and different…something I had never done before.
I have not been timid about having to meet someone new, to change a tire, or to do minor repairs on just about anything around the house. But, write a book? Opening up this new way of communicating has given me the courage to do some other things. I went back to school and attained a graduate degree. And, there are more books to come! Somehow, I discovered that writing may not be my best thing, but it is something that I am growing into…This hobby sort of popped-up, but I think I like it.
In the end, it is not the plans we make that define us, but rather the way we embrace the unexpected twists and turns that life throws our way. Though my journey may have veered off course, I am grateful for the ability to write about it.
God Bless,
Auntie Joyce
