“Goodbye” is not just a word; it is a journey.

It is said that life throws us curves when we least expect it. I suppose that’s true. Sometimes those curves can be wonderful but sometimes they are devastating. One thing I have learned is that it is better not to know what the future holds. If we knew the things we were going to have to endure in life, most of us would shrink within the confines of our homes or even our own souls. Not knowing what tomorrow holds frees us to live completely for today. It gives us license to embrace the world around us because tomorrow it may all be gone. When we allow ourselves to live with open arms, we create opportunities to receive more than we can ever dream. Yes, there will be pain, but in time the pain fades and leaves beautiful memories of amazing experiences we didn’t recognize as we were actually living them. Annette and I initially appeared to be the most unlikely pair, but we became inseparable. When cancer crashed into our world, we faced it together. Although her body eventually gave in to the disease, her spirit conquered it completely. Cancer did not win, she won! Ours was a beautiful journey that only made our goodbye that much more exquisite. It was painfully wonderful to have walked such a journey with such an amazing woman. I would have never dreamed that saying “goodbye” could be one of life’s greatest and richest blessings, but we lived it first-hand. Here is our story...

A published author, poet, songwriter and recording artist, Deanna O’Leary believes that life is simply too short to hoard our knowledge, our experience, or our lives. From her successful career in business to her volunteer endeavors, O’Leary takes every opportunity to provide encouragement and motivational inspiration to others in both her professional and personal life.