It is like the song says “it is a long and winding road”.

I’m not a cancer survivor, my family is.

We were a family of six, now it’s two - my brother and me.

I knew I needed help when both my brother-in-laws and my nieces moved on with their lives.

They found new loving relationships and had babies.

I felt stuck, scared and angry.

I married a wonderful man in 1996.  He met my mom and attended her funeral with me before we got married.

Sometimes I still feel raw inside when I think about my family.

And then the most beautiful thing happens.

I feel peace.

I found a therapist who encouraged me to look inside and deal with sources of pain beyond the loss of my family.

She also encouraged me to follow my dream.

I’m 54 now and am following my dream to help heal others.

I’m a student at Adler Graduate School working on my Masters in Adlerian Psychotherapy with Marriage and Family emphasis.

With the Adlerian therapy focus of social interest, internships are started early in the program.

Hospice of the Lakes is my beginning internship.

During training at Hospice of the Lakes, through the compassion of the staff, I found healing.

Classes at Adler give me hope and a purpose.

I have a plaque that says:
”God has a purpose for you that is held in His heart.

God has a path for you that is paved with His grace.”

Thanks for the opportunity to share my journey,

Marilyn Hesser