Melissa thought her family was normal and took all her mother’s comments
on board. She believed she was no good and was a burden to her mother,
father and siblings. She was often sick, and her mother couldn’t wait to
tell everyone about the ‘problem’ child. Melissa used self-talk to keep
herself together.


Melissa grew up and found she was not only good at her chosen
profession; she excelled. She was earning six figures, had a company
car, international and interstate travel, a husband, a beautiful home
and was at the top of her career.


Cerebral Atrophy then struck. Melissa’s world fell apart. She lost
everything. The self-harm that she had kept a secret now became suicidal
ideation. She began a conversation with her illness, and it kept her
resilient. It wasn’t until she went into therapy that she discovered
truths about her mother that shattered her perception of ‘normal.’


So began a journey of self-discovery, reflection on the past and the
search for what makes life meaningful. In this powerful memoir, Melissa
shows us how we can find joy despite what has happened in our lives and
how, when facing an unknown future, it is more important than ever to
seek out what makes our lives matter.