When you experience the sudden death of a loved one and never saying goodbye, it is a tragedy beyond belief. I knew at 6:08 a.m. that something very bad had happened. I could feel my heart stop along with the clocks as my universe crumbled. After the death of my husband, I thought my world had come to an end At first, I could not imagine living life without my partner and father to our children. I was faced with the daunting concept that I was now a widow on my own and no one to love me. I remembered thinking, how do I face getting up every morning? But the sun still rises and sets. It doesn't stop for your personal tragedy.

The reality that my life had completely changed, that I am suddenly no longer Danielle Bell, the wife of Eric Bell, was overwhelming. This inspired me to start to journaling. I knew I had to fill the void with mental, physical, and emotional activities to keep my sanity. I had the choice to reinvent myself or succumb to grief and depression. I chose to learn to live again on my own.