How I received The Gift

The Gift was written in a moment of unexpected clarity—while I was working on a research paper for my degree. I had been studying emotional intelligence and self-awareness in leadership when something far more personal surfaced.

My daughter, who is in recovery, had just lost a dear friend to an accidental fentanyl poisoning, only days after reconnecting with him. Not long after their last visit—a brief, bittersweet moment—a ladybug landed on her chest, right over her heart. She happened to be wearing a shirt he had given her. That small moment became a symbol of connection, comfort, and memory.

I began thinking about the emotional wounds my daughter had yet to address, like so many others, and how trauma is stored in the body—unspoken, unresolved. That’s when the image came to me: a girl walking with a nail in her foot, afraid to face the pain that can come with healing. A ladybug appears—not to fix her, but to offer trust, presence, and the quiet courage to begin.

I set aside my paper, and The Gift flowed out.

This story is deeply personal—born from grief, love, and the raw beauty of watching my daughter survive something that too many do not.

The Gift is an allegorical story about emotional healing, trauma, recovery—from whatever has a hold on us—and the quiet power of trust. For those who carry invisible wounds, and for the ones who walk beside them—it is for you.