"Daddy fell asleep, mummy"

Our guest this week shares the moment when her husband fell "asleep" reading a bedtime story to her 6 year old daughter, and never woke up.

She tells us how she moved on from being the person she "used to be" as she said goodbye to her high school love and became a single mom. Realising that "the person I was prior to this night, knew nothing about the world I had to go through and so I had to lose myself" she tells of the story of her and her daughter as they faced a new journey as a lone duo.

After 23 years she inspires us with how she led herself to a new chapter of her story and that, whilst the memories don't ever fade, she now has a "wonderful life" that she never imagined could find her. With new love, a second child and the discovery of a faith and community that led her forward, this story is fraught with sadness but balanced with the strength, inspiration and wisdom of a woman who has found a path to joy after trauma.

Our guest shares what the term 'widow' means to her and why it never felt it fitted her outlook and how new friendships can help us find a new identity in life. As her story continues it takes a twist, half way through the show and 20 years later, as her son collapses at work and they discover a rare neurological disease impacting his brain and ability to live well. Facing brain surgery with her teenager, and ultimately finding out that the diagnosis runs in the family, she embarks on a long medical journey that tests her braveness and belief in the path laid out for all of us.

Our guest chooses to share her identity at the end of the show. Cathy is now coaching others facing grief, trauma and medical complexity. You can find her via the below links and access her story and support:

https://cathygcoach.com/

https://www.instagram.com/cathygirardeau

https://www.facebook.com/cathy.girardeau

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathy-girardeau-acc-508363

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Music Credits: https://ncs.io/PLHome NCS / NoCopyrightSounds: Empowering Creators through No Copyright & Royalty Free Music