Susan S. Warner had a storybook marriage of 38 years and two magnificent children. She existed in the comfort of an extraordinary cocoon of family and friends. And then the unimaginable happened — the devastating suicide of her 32-year-old son, followed six months later with the death of her husband to a virulent cancer eight weeks after his diagnosis. How did she survive this catastrophic loss and find happiness again?

Susan’s story takes you on her journey to acceptance, pushing on and not being defined by social emotional norms. It’s a journey of self-discovery, self-actualization and ultimately working to live her best life, her way. And while she has moved forward, she has not moved on from her son and husband, who are part of this journey — keeping their memories alive has helped her heal.

By sharing her story, she hopes to help others who have suffered loss – loss of a spouse, a child, a friend, a parent, a sibling—understand that with loss, life doesn’t have to end, and it doesn’t need to define them. Everyone deserves happiness. However, happiness is not to be found, but to be made. The path to the next chapters of life can be empowering and exciting.