I grew up with the animals and the trees as my closest friends. As a child, I often wandered between the barn and the forest, and there was a sense of security in the fact that nature was always there, like a constant companion. My world was filled early with love, but also with a shadow of loss. When my father passed away, I stood there with icy feet and a darkness of uncertainty. Life became a journey between light and darkness, filled with unanswered questions about who I really am.
There has always been something that has driven me to search deeper. As I got older, I began to understand that the strong connection I felt with animals and nature was not something everyone experienced. I felt their presence, as if we were communicating in a wordless way. It was a safety and comfort in those moments, when life felt most uncertain.
School days were marked by a longing for something different, a search for freedom that I couldn't find in the classrooms. My first day of school stands as a memory of the feeling of not fitting in – even my pyjama top reminded me of my difference. Over the years, the question "Who am I?" became my companion, but it also led me forward, to new insights.
Nature became my anchor throughout my life. The animals and trees listened when I couldn’t put everything into words. It was there, between the cows and the pines, that I found a light, something to hold on to when the darkness approached. Over time, I began to understand that my ability to feel and listen – to other people, to the animals and to nature – was my strength. It was there that I felt whole.
In my work in healthcare, I have also seen the human in all its simplicity and grandeur. A kind word, a gentle touch, can mean so much. I believe we all carry a light within us, but sometimes we need help to let it shine brightly. For me, the journey has been about finding my light, coming to terms with both the darkness and the light within me. Perhaps my story can also light the way for someone else.
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