Mountains Have Moved

Maybe You've Been Assigned This Mountain To Show Others It Can Be Moved.

After my son Alex was killed by fentanyl, I added this quote to the last (unfinished) painting that my son Alex painted. Alex painted this 3 years before he died. This painting has become my reminder that I will not only survive but I will thrive after God moves each mountain that is placed before me.

5 years ago today was 13 days before my son overdosed and I had no idea that my life would have changed as much as it has. 1825 days later I not only have lost my son, I survived it. I not only survived his death, I have saved others from the same hell. I have spent the last five years teaching anyone and everyone that would listen to me about the dangers of opioids, how to recognize an overdose, how to try and stop that overdose and distributing naloxone. It has brought me so much healing. There is no way I would have been at this level of healing without being able to walk with others who have struggled through similar journeys. I am so very thankful that God has blessed me beyond my wildest dreams.

In June, I left a job I loved and thought I would retire from and I am now absolutely honored to work at Marshmallow’s Hope. I have the absolutely best employer ever! Laura brings so much passion, love and tenacity to her mission, she is bar none the most inspiring display of steadfastness I have ever been witness to. So being able to be a part of the upcoming Marshmallow's Hope Behavioral Health Clinic is such a HUGE blessing! I get to help bring the region's ONLY youth intensive outpatient program to families in need that will provide FREE services for mental emotional illnesses. AMAZING!

Then as part of my internship for my Recovery Peer Support certification through SIU Medicine, I get to continue my passion for opioid education, naloxone distribution and grief support. This last week I was absolutely blown away each and every day with God's blessings on me. I spent the week with Live4Lali - Rockford Office handing out almost 800 Narcan kits to the patrons of the Boone County Fair. I had so many conversations about the need for naloxone in every home. There is no better way to spend Opioid Awareness month!

I am no longer running the 501c3 the Live R.E.A.L. Foundation but I will however continue to bring overdose awareness and motivations to find Joy in the JOurneY of life through the updated website and social medias of "Go Live REAL Motivations". Come join me.