Rise above it: Against all odds; My journey through life, loss, and healing

I want to take you on a journey through my life—a journey filled with adventures, heartaches, and the incredible strength that comes from rising above it all.This book is my story, but it’s also an invitation for you to reflect on your own challenges and find the courage and hope to navigate them.My story begins with profound sadness when I lost my second child, an unborn daughter.At just seven months pregnant, I was filled with anticipation, dreaming of welcoming a little girl into the world. But then, everything changed in an instant.Instead of holding her in my arms, I faced the overwhelming weight of loss.How do you cope with the absence of someone you had never even met? It was a thunderstorm of emotions, and I often wondered if the pain would ever subside. It was during this time that I learned it’s perfectly normal to feel deep sorrow and at the same time, to share that burden. Have you ever experienced a loss that reshaped your understanding of life? How did you find the strength to move forward?Just when I thought I was finding my way again, I faced my next big challenge. Three years after losing my daughter, I learned that I had liver disease and would eventually need a transplant. This news was overwhelming and scary to say the least. What do you do when your told your health is at risk, or worse, you could die early in life? In the face of adversity, I recognized that though I couldn’t control what was happening inside my body, I could choose my response. I decided to fight with all that I could to learn about this disease.While I was in the process of dealing with my liver. Tragedy struck again. Just a decade into my marriage, my husband, my rock and partner—was taken from me in a sudden plane crash. One moment, we were building a life filled with dreams and laughter; the next, I was dealing with unimaginable emptiness. I was left not only with the weight of grief but also with the daunting challenge of picking up the pieces of a shattered future.I looked for answers, I leaned into my faith as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.I found comfort in the understanding that my Heavenly Father was with me through every loss, providing guidance and solace.In the aftermath, I found myself lost in a whirlwind of sorrow and anger. Seeking love, comfort and connection, I entered into a new relationship, hoping a new love would maybe help heal my wounds. Yet, that marriage became a battleground where pain festered. Anger and bullying in the home, soon ended with divorce. With hope of finding that peaceful home I longed for, I reached out again only to find my dreams crushed as my 3rd husband chose another “night life” with another women. Each setback felt more crushing than the last, leaving me feeling isolated and exhausted. Finally, after much hardship, I received a life-saving liver transplant. It felt like a new beginning—a chance to embrace life with gratitude for each moment. It was during this healing journey that I realized how vital hope and faith are in our lives. Not long after my transplant and 3rd failed marriage, I met Martin Quinlan. This time, my relationship was built on trust and a shared commitment to face challenges together. Together, we created a warm and loving home, fully embracing the understanding that life is a series of ups and downs—a journey we traverse side by side. “Rise Above It” is more than just my story; it’s a message for all readers experiencing struggles This book is a space for reflection, an opportunity for you to ponder your own experiences, and what it means to rise above it. I hope you’ll understand that even in my darkest moments, a flicker of hope remained. It was during these times that I learned that true resilience isn't just about surviving; it's about finding the strength to rise after each fall.