A Birthday, Remembered

Today is the late Pastor Pam Sheppard’s birthday—my mentor.

She enjoyed simple things: movies, music from another era, and wearing beautiful outfits that reflected her bold and courageous spirit. While she cherished quiet moments that didn’t need to be explained, she also deeply valued healthy communication—expressing yourself honestly, listening well, and allowing conversation to flow with ease. Truth mattered to her, as did compassion and genuine expression.

I’m grateful to God for the years we were given to know each other. Her presence brought stability to my life, including during important seasons of my career as a nurse. Her words of encouragement still live with me, continuing to guide me in ways that do not fade with time.

Grief like this is hard to put into words. Loss can feel disorienting and heavy, especially when it comes through tragedy. But I’ve learned that grief does not erase who we are. It can deepen us without defining us.

Today, I honor her by standing securely in who I am—honest, grounded, and grateful for a woman who helped shape me. Strength does not mean forgetting. It means carrying forward what was good, even after loss.

Happy birthday. Your life continues to inspire mine.