Every storm of life has a beginning, and every storm has an ending. Storms can be bittersweet. This means difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations. At fifteen, I was dating a boy who, five years later, became my husband. We entered our marriage full

“Life is too short to put your dreams on hold.”  When I got the call, I was in shock. I had just seen her thirty minutes before. My friend, Rich, picked up the phone and listened. His Latino skin turned grey, and he said: “Here’s

Fifteen years old, with every creature comfort a girl could want – purple shag carpet, a queen-sized bed, my own TV & a sunset mural on my wall, not to mention the pool in our backyard, nestled behind our modern A-frame house, in a great

From a young age, I knew I didn’t fit into any “box.” I believe that it helped to shape my life mission from an early age. I am Shmiko, a living mosaic of cultures. Born into a world where my existence is a blend of

My marriage dissolved, I became a single parent, and my health suffered. Five years ago marked a pivotal juncture in my life, a period defined by profound challenges that ultimately became the catalyst for a transformative journey of resilience and self-discovery. The dissolution of my

I had been suffering for six months without any answers, and here was the answer I was expecting, “You have cancer.” The moment I saw my oncologist’s face as she walked in the door and looked at me, my life changed. In my heart, I

COVID-19 shut down the world just as I moved to Kamloops, a brand-new city. My journey toward sobriety wasn’t just about giving up alcohol; it was my courageous decision that transformed my entire world. Almost four years ago (celebrating January 1, 2024), I made a

Amidst the haunting void left by my dad’s disappearance, I navigated the labyrinth of life, defying the weight of his parental absence, as I forged ahead in the pursuit of a future defined by my defiant strength and unshakeable resilience. The Vanishing Encircled by the

During unprecedented challenges over the last three years as a first responder, I faced PTSD. This journey intersected my passion for natural health products and helped me advocate for wellness and recovery. It was my personal mission to heal. Being a frontline worker in the

When it’s your own story, reflecting on resiliency can be tricky as it is easier to see it in others than yourself. Overcoming and embracing challenges or doing things that may be a little crazy is innately who I have always been. For as long