Life interruptions come in many forms; illness, divorce, job loss, death. After the upheaval of an unexpected divorce in 1995 I thought, "well, thank goodness that's over." I can learn the lesson, collect the badge, dust myself off and move on. Surely the worst was behind me, with clear sailing and happiness ahead.

Little did I know, the worst was yet to come.

I was still to experience an unexpected job loss, multiple relocations, and an immersion into the world of addiction with encounters I had no way of preparing for. From arrests, overdoses, homelessness, and the death of my son, the fight against hopelessness was a daily battle. When my daughter spiraled out of control with her own substance use, it seemed all was lost.

Going to war against the disease that threatened to devour my family taught me the true meaning of resilience, unconditional love, and finding new meaning in the midst of devastating loss.