At the Edge of the Abyss. September 6, 2025.

“We run from grief because loss scares us, yet our hearts reach toward grief because the broken parts want to mend.” Brene’ Brown

My mended heart comes alive in this season of transition, remembering its broken parts with compassion and empathy. This tender and sacred time, in which I have lost some of my beloveds, is also a time of celebration - of courage, vulnerability and spirit.

Late Saturday afternoon on Labor Day weekend while I was at the barn feeding horses, I received a call from an unknown number in Georgia. They did not leave a message, but I could hear the caller saying to someone in the background, “I’m trying to reach his wife…”.

It didn’t make sense to me. I thought maybe it was a spam call but, in a split second, I put it together that my husband, David, was in Georgia in a motorcycle race.

This was a call I was always afraid I would receive.

I’ll tell you now that David has survived and is expected to make a full recovery. But for 30 minutes while I tried to get through to the number to get information, I was in a panic and imagining the worst.

I finally got through to the number, and just before someone answered, I felt myself surrender. Surrender to the outcome, whatever it was, and a feeling of calm and peace came over me. I am not sure exactly what it was: endorphins, parasympathetic nervous system, grace … but I am grateful for it, whatever it was.

After 5 days in Trauma ICU, surgery, 4 days in step down, 7 broken ribs and collarbone, and collapsed lung, I am happy to say we are hoping for discharge in the next few days. It will be a journey of recovery, but now I see the light at the end of the tunnel and it’s not a freight train – it’s a pathway home.

There are so many people who have supported me and David, and taken care of horses and dogs, house, barn and everything else - including my dear friend Lynn Moore who flew down from Minnesota to take care of us in the hospital. We are both so grateful for all that has gotten us this far. And for the amazing medical staff who have shown up fully as we moved through this time.

With a deep bow of gratitude for the miracle of our capacity to mend and heal broken hearts – and bodies.