The Gift of Goodbye: How Healing Made Space for the Most Sacred Moment of My Life

For my dad—thank you for the final gift of forgiveness. I’ll carry it with me always.

On Monday, my father passed away. I had the honor of being there with him—holding his hand, whispering words of comfort, and watching as his spirit took its final breath. It was the greatest blessing of my life. And I say that with full honesty and reverence, because had I not done the deep work of healing, I would not have been able to stay. I would not have been able to offer presence, peace, and love in those sacred final moments. That alone is proof of how far I’ve come.

There was a time when I wouldn’t have had the emotional capacity to sit with death. When my body, still living in fight-or-flight, would have shut down in overwhelm. There was a time when old wounds from our relationship—unspoken grief, unmet needs, tangled dynamics—would have kept me at a distance. I might have been physically present, but I wouldn’t have been truly with him.

That’s what trauma does. It robs us of presence. But healing—healing gives it back.

Over the years, I’ve chosen to reclaim myself. Piece by piece, I’ve released the narratives that no longer serve me and embraced the woman I was always meant to be. My healing journey didn’t just change my life—it changed how I could show up in life. And in death. It gave me the strength to stay open, the nervous system regulation to remain grounded, and the spiritual depth to recognize the sacredness of what was unfolding in that room.

There was no fear in that moment—only love. Only peace. Only a deep, soul-level knowing that this was part of life, too. That I was bearing witness to something holy. I didn’t need closure in words. I didn’t need to fix the past. I simply needed to be. And I was. Fully.

I saw him as a little boy.

As my grandparents' son.

Innocent.

Vulnerable.

A divine creation.

This is the kind of power that lives in after deep healing. The kind that’s earned—not handed to us. It’s the wisdom that comes after surviving, after healing, after rising from the ashes of what once broke us. This season of life is not a decline—it’s an arrival. A return to truth. A reclamation of our power. If I have a midlife manifesto, it’s this: I will live and love fully, with presence, courage, and grace. I will choose softness where I once chose armor.

I will show up for the moments that matter.

This experience with my father’s passing has become a defining chapter in my life—not because of the loss, but because of the love I was able to give. Because of the quiet, gentle love that I was open to receive. That is empowerment. Not perfection. Not control. But presence. Capacity. Choice.

To the person reading this—if you’re somewhere on your own healing journey, I want you to know that every step matters. Every layer you peel back. Every boundary you honor. Every truth you claim. You’re not just healing for your past self—you’re healing for who you’re becoming. For the moments of clarity, connection, and grace that are still to come.

You are wise. You are powerful. You are more than capable of walking through the fire and coming out softer, stronger, and more you than ever before.

If you feel ready to explore your next step, I invite you to book a complimentary Breakthrough Call with me. It’s a sacred space to be heard, seen, and supported—as you claim your power and your soul’s truth.

Schedule a call 

Thank you for saying yes to yourself. I’m honored to walk beside you.

With love,
Sheri
Live Fully, Thrive Boldly
Founder, Midlife Revolution