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How It All Began: A Journal That Changed Everything

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It all started when my nine-year-old daughter was going through a tough time. Like any mom running on empty but fueled by love, I grabbed a notebook, scribbled a question at the top of each page, and hoped it would help.

At the time, I was working as a psych RN, fully aware of how powerful journaling could be for processing emotions and building resilience. But my group therapy patients always said the same thing: “I don’t know what to write.” Every session, I gave them a prompt to help cut through the chaos and get the words flowing. That’s when the idea hit me—What if the journal did that work for you?

So, I created one for my daughter—filled with questions and prompts designed to help her focus, reflect, and heal. And it worked. Her friends wanted journals, their parents wanted journals, and before I knew it, I was moonlighting as a journal-writing machine.

Then came the call that changed everything. One of the kids I had given a journal to said, “Hey Mom, I need a new one—I filled mine up last night.” (Yes, I became “Mom” to half the teens in town—rent-free, of course.) Then came the gut punch: “It saved my life.” That’s when I realized these journals weren’t just helpful—they were lifesaving.

Kyra: The Dog Who Inspired Me to Keep Going

Around the same time, my dog Kyra, a big, loving Rottweiler with the heart of a warrior, faced her own battle. Diagnosed as the youngest dog ever with hip dysplasia by the nation’s top veterinary surgeon, Kyra was maxed out on pain meds by seven months old. Both her hips had dislocated, leaving her walking with her legs turned inward to hold them in place.

At one year old, she had her first hip replacement, and by two, her second. Each surgery meant four months of 24/7 care—me sleeping on the floor beside her, sometimes needing someone to babysit her just so I could shower.

But Kyra’s spirit never broke. She fell in love with my Jeep, turned the backseat into her personal lounge, and discovered joy in off-roading, puddles, and rocking her favorite goggles. Watching her fight through pain and still embrace life fueled my determination to make the journals even better—filled with depth, meaning, and heart.

Not Your Average “Dear Diary”

These aren’t your typical “Dear Diary” notebooks. Backed by real science—specifically Erik Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development—and my experience as a psych nurse, every prompt and exercise is designed to help you grow, build confidence, and navigate life’s toughest curveballs.

Each journal is custom-made for different age groups because, let’s be real, the struggles of being 16 are nothing like being 36 or 60. These journals speak your language—with heart, humor, and real tools for getting through the messy moments.

The Struggle to Be Seen

I published these journals on Amazon KDP, thinking it would help them reach people who needed them most—but good luck finding them. They’re buried. So, if you know a publishing company or any facility—like schools, counseling centers, or treatment programs—that could benefit from these journals, let me know. Lives have already been saved—I know they can help more.

Why Every Journal Matters

I gave these journals away for years, just to help people. But now, they serve a bigger purpose: funding Legacy Paws Rescue, supporting the rehabilitation of death-row shelter dogs like Kyra—giving them a second chance at life.

Ready to Save a Life—Maybe Even Yours?

If you’re ready to take on life’s chaos with a journal that’s as evidence-based as it is life-changing, grab a copy from the Legacy Journal Series. You’ll gain a tool for healing and help save dogs in need.

And if you know a publisher or a facility that could use them—let’s talk. Because nothing says “I’ve got my life together” like a journal that saves lives—both human and furry. Trust me, meet Kyra, and you’ll believe in second chances too.