This blog isn’t solely about phenomena, though they are woven into my story.

My life has been an emotional journey through the depths of life and death.

It’s not a blog focused entirely on death, though it has played a role in my narrative. And while healing is a significant part of my path, this blog isn’t just about healing. My life may appear marked by pain and suffering; however, it has been enriched with experiences far beyond the ordinary. I’ve had the privilege of living a life surpassing many’s dreams. My story isn’t meant for the casual reader. The stories I share here are for those who understand that life holds more than what’s visible on the surface.

My journey has taken […]

I left Pacific Grove 20 years ago, but my heart longed to return every single day.

Pacific Grove offers an unmatched quality of life. The town has stunning views and is nestled between Monterey Bay, the City of Monterey, the Pacific Ocean, and the Del Monte Forest. The City serves the community with features like a monarch butterfly habitat sanctuary, pristine beaches, the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the West Coast, top-notch emergency, fire, and ocean rescue services, and the lowest crime rate in Monterey County. Pacific Grove has an award-winning natural history museum. Everyone there takes pride in the small-town warmth and friendliness in a place lovingly called “P.G.”

I began having dreams of returning.

In the dream, I return to my […]

A flower’s beauty doesn’t fade just because you fail to notice it, nor does its fragrance disappear when taken for granted. It remains beautiful, delicate, graceful, magnificent, and radiant.

Mother Nature offers us priceless teachers—flowers that bloom despite their brief existence, stars that shine even when unnoticed, and trees that don’t take offense when we forget to show gratitude for the oxygen they give us. We possess an extraordinary, boundless ability to love.

The question I ask is this: Can you love like a flower?

Are you blooming fully without seeking admiration, attention, or recognition?

Can you open your heart entirely—celebrating, forgiving, giving, and embracing life with joy—without hesitation or expectation of anything in return?

Growing up and navigating relationships, I often took things deeply […]

For adults who overcame childhood trauma

We seldom voiced our pain, keeping the truth hidden from our friends.

Our parents said they loved us, but their actions told a different story. Their words shattered our hearts and stripped away our sense of worth.

We desperately wanted their affection, confused by what we had done to deserve their anger, strikes, and desire for us not to be there.

They would hit us, scream at us, and blame us for their unhappiness. Then they’d pull us into their arms, feeding us confusing lies about how they loved us despite how “bad” we were and how it was our fault they hurt us, our fault they were angry.

As each day started, we often wished for it to […]

From left to right: My Grandpa George, Grandma Ollie, Grandma Helen, and Grandpa Adrian.

Grandpa George and Grandma Helen were my mother’s and her sister’s parents. Interestingly, Helen and Adrian were good friends.

Grandpa George and Grandma Helen didn’t have much in common—nor did Ollie and Adrian.

Eventually, both couples divorced. Grandpa George then married Ollie, and Grandma Helen married Adrian. This photo captures a special moment during their trip to Hawaii to celebrate their new unions.

Grandpa George and Grandma Ollie lived at 636 Maple Court in San Leandro, California. They were actual city folks enjoying the conveniences and lifestyle of urban living.

On the other hand, Grandma Helen and Grandpa Adrian settled in Grass Valley, California, where they ran a wood mill. They […]

Unpredictable actions, intense emotional shifts, and suicide threats.

I am opening up about my experience growing up with a step-parent who had bipolar disorder.

At 12, I moved into the house at 1161 Covington Road in Los Altos, California, and began life in what appeared to be a typical middle-class family.

However, those close to us—friends, neighbors, and relatives—were well aware of the underlying turmoil. I never knew which version of my stepmother I’d face each morning. Would she be the nurturing stepmom I had expected, as promised by my father?

Or the aloof stepmom who insisted I start looking after myself and care for my three younger brothers and even demanded that I pay for any food I took from the kitchen?

Some […]

I was the outcast in my family.

The “black sheep.”

Often viewed as the family outcast, the black sheep is typically perceived as different or unusual.

The family usually believes the black sheep is to blame for their isolation. While it’s true that the black sheep may sometimes be seen as “odd” by general standards, my label came from my intuitive and empathetic ability to see into people’s souls.

My stepmother, however, dismissed this as a sign of mental illness. It’s uncommon for someone labeled as a black sheep to have a mental disorder.

In truth, many black sheep are kind-hearted individuals with much to offer their families and the world. Often, they are among the most talented and insightful, sometimes the most creative, or […]

Where I am today is the outcome of my choices—whether five years ago, fifteen years ago, or even this morning. We are responsible for how our lives have unfolded and play a crucial part in shaping our future. While we’re constantly making decisions, we don’t always fully grasp their long-term impact.

I know I certainly didn’t when I was younger. The first step is clearly defining the kind of life you want.

My intention was to have a calm, comfortable, happy, simple, and uncomplicated life.

Before making any decisions, it’s essential to ask yourself, “Will this action bring me closer to the life I envision or push me further away from it?”

I didn’t start consciously asking myself these questions until I was in […]