I was born in Denmark and had a wonderful childhood until my father uprooted the family and replanted us in Montreal, Canada leaving behind my beloved Grandfather and sister who subsequently died at the age of 27 before rejoining the family, from Leukemia, leaving behind 2 daughters, ages 5 & 3.

Except for my Father, we didn't speak either English or French, and arrived in the dead of winter, to a house with no furniture, no heat, strange food and very little money. It was the beginning of the many lessons that would prepare me for what the future held in store. Rising above the challenges, I flourished and left school at 15 to support myself, working for major corporations in Montreal, Copenhagen and Vancouver in the field of information processing. I had a life filled with adventure and many heartaches but never with regret. I always felt I was building a memory bank for future use. I didn't know how many times I would have to make withdrawals in the future.

At the age of 30, I met my soul mate who filled my life with love an laughter and we had two beautiful sons. I stayed home to raise my boys and pursued my hobbies of Art, Photography, Reading and Gardening before I eventually became a Hospice volunteer and then Office Manager of our local Hospice for a number of years. Little did I know at the time, that this would prepare me for the most painful experience I would have to face.

My life changed dramatically fourteen years ago when at the age of 50, my beloved husband was diagnosed with Stomach Cancer. I took his hand and gently walked with him from the beginning to the end of that journey and he died peacefully at home. I was left financially destitute with two teenage sons to raise, and no idea how we would manage to survive. Circumstances forced me to accept Social Assistance, to return to school for upgrading of my Computer Skills. I also took a 5 months course in Anatomy, Physiology & Disease and I graduated with Honors from both and I found a job 3 weeks later.  Unbelievably, I  was laid off 6 months later due to the Company's financial problems. Eight months of unemployment eventually led to a position in a local hospital in a part time capacity. It provided just enough funds to keep us going. My boys had to find their own employment upon graduating from High School much to my great regret. I wanted them to have a University education but it was beyond my reach.  (They have managed to sustain themselves, the youngest has been living in Japan for the last 5 years and I miss his delightful personality immensely, the older lives close.  Both are single. I think they took my advice to heart, when I told them not to marry until they were in their 30's. Mature people make better decisions). I did!

 During this period, I suffered painfully from arthritis in both knees, plantar faciitis and an untreatable skin condition which is now in remission until it resurfaces due to extreme stress. I learned to live with intense chronic pain. When it became unbearable I had two knee replacement surgeries after which I became disabled due to complications and further health problems. My future seemed hopeless. There were very dark periods of depression. I had lost my husband, my garden, my home, my ability to work and my health. My boys left home as expected and I found myself alone, all alone. A state I had never envisioned. I eventually developed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, a very debilitating disease and one I continue to struggle with. Today I face a hip replacement and the pain continues. I have had to learn how to accept and endure.