Navigating the Trials of Life as a Realistic Optimist (who laughs a lot!)

When I look back at my life, I am so immensely blessed and thankful.  When others look at my life, they seem to tilt their head a bit and say, “I had no idea all that happened to you…wow…I’m so sorry…but you look great.”  All logical comments.  As a child, I grew up in a town with one red light, had genuine friends, no curfew except to simply go home to bed when it was dark, and when my parents asked us to do something, we obeyed.  Simple. Joyful. Thankful.

When I went to college and became a theatre major, I found a path of passion and fulfillment that I didn’t see coming. Undergrad into my first jobs, then onto grad school, and within two years, I was in NYC working on Broadway as a receptionist.  Dreams quickly came true. A promotion allows me side by side access to some of the biggest influencers on Broadway and around the country. Three years later, those relationships and connections led me to Ohio where I became the Tour General Manager for one of the biggest entertainers in the world. Dreams are still coming true.  We started a family, had an amazing church, loved being in Cleveland, and another unexpected dream – Executive Producing the national tour of Veggie Tales Live. And then I remembered that I forgot to get a mammogram. Time to check it off my To-Do list. And my world stopped. Cancer. Clinical Trial. Followed by an autism diagnosis for my four-year-old son. Then my brother goes to war. Our new house is being built. And my dad had a heart attack and a stroke. All within nine months. That’s a lot, even for someone with my perspective and my absolute faith in God.

So, what’s the logical thing to do? Of course, I called a friend and decided to create a musical about it… a musical that is funny, heartbreaking, joyful and emotional. And in that musical emerges a song called QUEEN OF THE TRIAL.  A song that is part of a moment of triumph right before another storm crashes, followed by another moment of joy.  And that embodies the journey I have been on for decades.

Life doesn’t seem to stop because something unexpected and heartbreaking happens. Smiles and laughter still come from unique places. Trials are real. Navigating them well is possible. And just when things start to level out and seem to be on an uphill trajectory, it’s time to be the Queen of the Trial again… more cancer, parents passing, and a massive heart attack. And as I was awakened at 1 am one night, I was asking  God, “What is going on?  What am I supposed to do?”  And a still voice inside said, “Tell Your Story…Tell Your Story…Tell your Story” 

So here I am, ready to tell my story in different formats (books, podcasts, speaking engagements, musical/film), asking friends and colleagues to join me along the way as they also share their stories. I hope our stories bring you encouragement and that you find laughter and heartfelt care, knowing that others are navigating trials as well. I look forward to our journey together.