Karen Cushenberry: Heartbreak, resilience and hope - Early passing of husband, daughter’s accidental overdose, and MS diagnosis, continuing on with gratitude and hope

Today we get to hear from Karen, a mother of four and life-long educator, who has lived a life full of service, love, friendship and family. Karen shares with us many life transitions that unexpectedly came into her life, including her husband's health declining at a young age, becoming a caretaker and the breadwinner for her family with young children still at home, and the eventual loss of her husband several years later. After adjusting to life on her own she found love again, and soon after suffered the heartbreaking loss of one of her twin daughters to an accidental drug overdose. Later Karen was diagnosed with MS and shares how radical acceptance has gotten her through this diagnosis. 

 

Karen tells her story with openness and candor, and shares the message that whatever happens and whatever we are going through, eventually it will be okay. Friendship and showing up for each other through hard times is a theme in her story, and we loved the many examples of this throughout her life she shared. We greatly admire her resilience and ability to continually look toward gratitude and hope.

 

Thank you so much to Karen, we feel honored she shared her story with us and loved our time talking with her. Watch for Karen's daughter Holly's episode coming next week.

 

Thank you for listening!

 

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