Hi, I'm Janet
Author, mother, and certified Grief Recovery Specialist
My story
My life changed forever in 2018, when I lost my 19-year-old son, James, to addiction.
Like so many parents facing an unimaginable loss, I searched for answers, for healing, and for a way to keep moving forward while carrying a heart that would never be the same. What I found is that grief doesn't end, but it can be carried with greater peace, purpose, and hope.
For more than two decades I've also walked my own path of healing through 12-step recovery for codependency. That journey taught me firsthand how hard it is to break free from unhealthy patterns and reclaim your voice and your worth.
I am a certified Grief Recovery Specialist.
I believe healing doesn't mean forgetting or "moving on." It means learning how to carry love forward while making room for new growth and meaning.
Why I wrote Dear James
Dear James is an intimate collection of letters, memories, and reflections I wrote to my son throughout my grief journey. It is a story of love, heartbreaking loss, and the resilience of the human spirit. My hope is that you'll feel seen and understood, and reminded that even in life's darkest seasons, healing is possible.
If one grieving heart feels a little less alone after reading Dear James, then sharing James' story has been worth every word.
A little more about me
I live in Texas with my husband, Shane, where I enjoy gardening, organizing, writing, and spending time in nature. For more than twenty years I've also worked as an Endoscopy Technician, caring for people during some of life's most vulnerable moments.
If you've found your way here, please know you don't have to walk this journey alone.