Jan Denise, author, speaker, relationships & self-worth consultant

Since Mom passed away in December, I am easing into a life without the 24-7 care. It is not my old life. It is my new life. I have never felt such profound gratitude for my freedom. I use it responsibly. And each choice carries self-verification.

I have an office again. I still have to remind myself that I can go out at night, without counting how many acts there are in a play. I can wander in the middle of the night naked. And I can laugh, and scream, and cry, any time at all.

But to be clear, I could not know the heaven of now, without taking Mom home with me when she asked. An honor, afforded only once, purifying my love as nothing else could, and carrying the sacred memories of a lifetime.

In that context, I revisited the book project I set aside almost four years ago. And yesterday, I submitted a proposal for consideration. I do the right thing with more assurance now, knowing that love finds a way. If I could do what I did with Mom, in the face of opposition, I can do what comes next. And to be true to myself, I must paint the reality of my soul on paper.… More