I wear many hats: partner, daughter, teacher, mom, woman. And depending on the day, I'm either up, or down.

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I look back on what I have lived so far, and as I tell my kids, every heartache, every heartbreak, every mistake, or painful moment is like a trophy, for lack of a better word. It is a trophy that you put on a shelf, to remind yourself: I survived this. Every struggle you overcome, even those that seem like they will break you, is a turning point. This darkness can lead to light, and every day I am reminded that resilience is a beautiful thing. It rears its head just when you need it. 

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Born and raised in a small native community in northern Ontario, I have seen the struggles of the forgotten people of our country. Living out adolescent life in Toronto, I struggled myself, with identity, and cultural confusion. Immigrant parents with values I fought against made for a tough existence. Living in India in my 20’s, and attending university there for 2 years brought me home in many ways. Rerouting to the Yukon to teach high school, I was rerouted back to my roots, and those same community struggles that live on. Now a teacher for over two decades in Toronto, I see the good and the bad of what our inner-city youth struggle with every day. 

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Like many, addiction and mental health have graced my life in a multitude of ways, too numerous to count. I believe this is the case for us all. As a co-parent to two teenagers, a wife of over 20 years, and a big sister to 5 siblings, I draw on my experiences to do better and be better. The books I read, the programs I watch, the people I love are all learning tools for me. If everything is relative, which I whole-heartedly believe, then everything we do is for a reason. While it is certainly a heavy way to exist, I am generally an overthinker -- constantly questioning, and working to find answers on emotional and mental well-being. Access to information is a game changer. Consolidating all that is out there, a whole different ball game.

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This is a space where I can try to bring it all together. At certain times in our lives, we want more. For some that could be monetary. For others who are luckier still, it's more cerebral. In the case of the latter, we can use words and thoughts and ideas to grow. And in turn help others grow. That is my mission.