Hope Restored:
From Battles to Breakthroughs, Find Your Light.
Embark on a Journey of Renewal and Recovery.
powerful stories of transformation and resilience, shining a light on the path to recovery and hope.
Join us as we navigate the journey to healing and reclaim our lives, one courageous step at a time.
Introduction
For me, storytelling is not just a means of survival; it’s a path to understanding, a way to give voice to the shadows that follow us through life. My story began in the misty hills of Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka, a safe haven for our family where my mother’s and grandparents’ guidance nurtured my love for words and music. I remember my grandmother playing “Silver Threads Among the Gold” on the piano while singing. My grandfather called me “My little Princess”. Those were heavenly times when we were nurtured and loved, especially by my grandmother. We had a waterfall behind our home, a lovely garden, and a lawn where we sat and felt the world belonged to us. However, our peaceful life was upended when my father moved us to a different city, a change that affected our family immensely. It wasn’t the greatest decision, but we, as children, had no choice.
A little over two years ago, the loss of my youngest daughter, Sayuri, left my family deeply disconnected and torn apart. In the aftermath of such profound tragedy, I turned to writing not only as a way to heal but also as a means of reaching out to others who may be walking a similar path. This website reflects that journey—a place where personal stories intertwine with universal truths. Here, you’ll find the echoes of a life touched by both profound loss and the relentless pursuit of light. My hope is that through these pages, you, too, will find a connection, a story that resonates, and perhaps a sense of solace. Welcome to a space where shadows are named, stories are told, and healing begins.
Introduction
For me, storytelling is not just a means of survival; it’s a path to understanding, a way to give voice to the shadows that follow us through life. My story began in the misty hills of Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka, a safe haven for our family where my mother’s and grandparents’ guidance nurtured my love for words and music. I remember my grandmother playing “Silver Threads Among the Gold” on the piano while singing. My grandfather called me “My little Princess”. Those were heavenly times when we were nurtured and loved, especially by my grandmother. We had a waterfall behind our home, a lovely garden, and a lawn where we sat and felt the world belonged to us. However, our peaceful life was upended when my father moved us to a different city, a change that affected our family immensely. It wasn’t the greatest decision, but we, as children, had no choice.
A little over two years ago, the loss of my youngest daughter, Sayuri, left my family deeply disconnected and torn apart. In the aftermath of such profound tragedy, I turned to writing not only as a way to heal but also as a means of reaching out to others who may be walking a similar path. This website reflects that journey—a place where personal stories intertwine with universal truths. Here, you’ll find the echoes of a life touched by both profound loss and the relentless pursuit of light. My hope is that through these pages, you, too, will find a connection, a story that resonates, and perhaps a sense of solace. Welcome to a space where shadows are named, stories are told, and healing begins.
Mission
My mission as an author is to illuminate the often-hidden struggles of addiction and mental health with compassion and honesty. Through my writing, I aim to offer a voice to those grappling with these challenges, providing stories that reflect both the pain and the profound potential for healing. By sharing these experiences, I hope to inspire hope, encourage resilience, and foster a deeper understanding of the transformative journey toward recovery.
Mary-Anne Willis
Books
Your Shadow Named Shame
Step into the heart-wrenching and inspiring world of “Your Shadow Named Shame.” This powerful book presents a series of vivid, real-life stories about individuals grappling with various addictions—alcohol, sex, sex and love, gambling, overeating and codependency. Each narrative reveals the profound struggles and triumphs of those seeking redemption through the transformative power of 12-step programs and the surrender to a higher power. Through their journeys, you’ll witness the raw emotions, desperate battles, and ultimate victories that highlight the resilience of the human spirit. “Your Shadow Named Shame” is a testament to hope, healing, and the courage to face one’s deepest fears.
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“An Unchanging God In An Ever Transient World”
“An Unchanging God in an Ever-Transient World” is a poetry book that contemplates the constancy of divine presence amid the flux and uncertainty of human life. Through a series of reflective and poignant poems, the collection explores themes of faith, stability, and divine reassurance in a world characterized by change and impermanence. Each poem highlights the contrast between God’s eternal nature and the shifting circumstances of the human experience, offering readers a sense of comfort and grounding in the midst of life’s uncertainties. The book blends spiritual reflection with lyrical expression to provide a thoughtful meditation on enduring faith.
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A Journey Of Wonder
“A Journey of Wonder: Men of the Bible” is a poetry collection that delves into the lives and spiritual journeys of prominent biblical men. Through evocative and lyrical verses, the book explores the faith, trials, and triumphs of figures such as Moses, David, Peter, and Paul. Each poem provides a reflective and imaginative take on their stories, capturing their struggles, moments of divine encounter, and their impact on biblical history. The collection aims to offer readers a deeper appreciation of these characters by blending historical narratives with the art of poetry, revealing their enduring significance and human experiences.
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A Journey Of Wonder
“A Journey of Wonder: Men of the Bible” is a poetry collection that delves into the lives and spiritual journeys of prominent biblical men. Through evocative and lyrical verses, the book explores the faith, trials, and triumphs of figures such as Moses, David, Peter, and Paul. Each poem provides a reflective and imaginative take on their stories, capturing their struggles, moments of divine encounter, and their impact on biblical history. The collection aims to offer readers a deeper appreciation of these characters by blending historical narratives with the art of poetry, revealing their enduring significance and human experiences.
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Women of the Bible
“Women of the Bible: A Poetry Collection” is a book that explores the lives and experiences of notable women from biblical stories through poetic verse. Each poem in the collection reflects on the strengths, struggles, and spiritual journeys of figures like Eve, Mary Magdalene, Esther, and others. The poetry aims to bring new insights and emotional depth to these ancient stories, celebrating the diverse roles and profound impact these women had in their contexts. The collection blends historical context with lyrical expression, offering readers a fresh and reflective perspective on these enduring narratives.
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Blog/Journal Entry
Reflections on Loss and Writing
Certain losses you overcome, yet some losses linger, etched into our very being, shaping how we see the world. The loss of my daughter Sayuri, followed closely by my mother’s passing, are moments that remain vivid, their impact felt in every corner of my life.
The weight of Sayuri’s absence has left my family fractured, struggling to find a way to reconnect in the aftermath of her transition. Writing has always been my refuge, a way to process emotions that feel too overwhelming to carry alone. I have found that the act of writing is often the only way to navigate the unfathomable. Through these blog entries, I attempt to make sense of my experiences, to lay bare the thoughts and emotions that might otherwise consume me.
This space is where I explore the ongoing process of healing, of coming to terms with a world that can be both breathtakingly beautiful and unbearably painful. I hope that by sharing these reflections, I can offer a sense of connection to those who are also grappling with loss, addiction, and the search for meaning.
Join me here as we navigate the shadows and strive to find the light together.
Certain losses you overcome, yet some losses linger, etched into our very being, shaping how we see the world. The loss of my daughter Sayuri, followed closely by my mother’s passing, are moments that remain vivid, their impact felt in every corner of my life.
The weight of Sayuri’s absence has left my family fractured, struggling to find a way to reconnect in the aftermath of her transition. Writing has always been my refuge, a way to process emotions that feel too overwhelming to carry alone. I have found that the act of writing is often the only way to navigate the unfathomable. Through these blog entries, I attempt to make sense of my experiences, to lay bare the thoughts and emotions that might otherwise consume me.
This space is where I explore the ongoing process of healing, of coming to terms with a world that can be both breathtakingly beautiful and unbearably painful. I hope that by sharing these reflections, I can offer a sense of connection to those who are also grappling with loss, addiction, and the search for meaning.
Join me here as we navigate the shadows and strive to find the light together.
