To truly share my daughter Emma’s story (you can read it here), I have to go beyond the facts and hardships. It wouldn’t feel complete without acknowledging the incredible light we discovered along the way, because as I’ve come to learn joy can exist even in the toughest circumstances. A brave 11-year-old cancer survivor at a Lighthouse retreat taught me that happiness is not the same as Joy. Happiness tends to be external and temporary,  often tied to circumstances or material things, while joy is deeper. Joy is internal and lasting often comes from deeper, meaningful experiences like connection, gratitude, faith, love, or personal growth.  Through Emma’s treatment, moments of joy…

In 2021, three months before turning 2, my daughter Emma was diagnosed with leukemia. As we navigated her journey, I discovered that writing our story could be profoundly healing. I found myself rewriting our story several times, especially when organizations asked for it. With each version, I noticed the progress more clearly—how far we had come. Writing and reading it back allowed me to process everything we were going through. Whether you’re here because you’re walking a similar path with your child, navigating your own challenges, or simply learning more about Emma’s journey.I hope our journey offers not only connection but also inspiration and strength. This is how it all…