Meredith Thomson

I am proof the universe has a sense of humor and a sometimes not so pleasant way of teaching us life lessons. I was blessed with an ear for music, a good singing voice, a talent for drawing and the ability to empathize with peoples pain. Ironically I was also saddled with stage fright and penchant for solitude. I coasted through a good deal of my life, not really living it and had settled into a routine with my husband until the day he died of a heart attack. For 2 years I existed, living for his parents and keeping up appearances. Then came the day you could say I was reborn. Like the phoenix I went through a crucible of fire and came out the other side fundamentally changed. In another bit of irony, my loss made me a better person. I learned not to regret the past, to not worry about the future and to live in the moment. I learned money isn't what matters most and to appreciate what I have instead of daydreaming about what's on the other side of the fence. Seeing the consequences of an unhealthy lifestyle up close and personal has inspired me write articles about healthy living and caring for the body and mind. The death of my husband painfully reminded me how short life is and to have the courage to really live it. It's also made me reevaluate my spirituality and figure out what that is. I've gotten a passion for several new hobbies I would never have tried before. Motorcycle riding, amateur landscape photography, antiquing, canning, rock climbing, scuba diving and sky diving. I can honestly say I've reached a spot where I understand living in grace and being lucky enough to have serenity.