My journey has not always been easy. The road has been bumpy and there have been times when it felt like I had run out of gas along the highway of life.

At some point, a friend suggested I “talk to someone.” I was skeptical. People had been “talking at me” for years. Why would this be different? I feeling a little apprehensive, but I figured what could it hurt? So I made the call and found Kim. She really did listen and she “got it.” She validated my experiences and made me realize not0-so-great things happen to good people. The hurt did not have to be lifelong. It was not something I just had to accept. She helped me learn about myself. She did not do it for me, but she was there beside me every step of the way. I did not have to try and figure it out alone.

Along the way, I decided I wanted to give others the same hope and support. Thus, began my journey at Seton Hill University. I enrolled in their accelerated weekend program. Every Saturday, I woke up super early and drove 60-miles to Greensburg to attend 8-week long sessions to earn a BA in Human Services. I completed my undergrad in two years. Then it was on to Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) two nights a week for an MA in Community Counseling. The rest, as they say, is history.

The road still has some potholes in it. I still run low on gas some days, but I have learned to stop and rest along the way. I can now recharge my battery, gas up, and enjoy the ride. Even the detours have become inspiring. The beauty of my story is it continues to evolve. My final chapters are still a work in progress. You can evolve too. You do not have to stay broken down along the highway of life if you truly don’t want too. The world can have so much beauty. Sometimes, you just need to look closer and have the courage to move forward. I would like to help you if you are ready. I can’t make the changes for you, but I can be there beside you along the way offering encouragement, being a cheerleader, and doing my best to “get it.”

Wishing you love and light,

Susan