The Thread of Life

It’s been an amazing life so far. As scattered as it sometimes seemed, the thread that travels through everything is a genuine love of people and a deep desire for connection. Practicing as an obstetrician and surgeon invited me into the lives of others in the most intimate and connected ways possible, literally through being part of new life, and sadly at times the reality of death. My own children showed me a degree of love and connection that I had never before thought possible. Helping to relieve the suffering women from other cultures brought me face-to-face with the reality that we are all deeply and divinely interconnected.

Leading a large organization focusing on a service culture is all about love and connection as well, and learning to lead and serve our patients with love has been the primary work of my mid-life career. Even competing in crazy sounding athletic activities like Ironman triathlons connected me deeply with my own inner potential, as well as that of the athletes around me. As my career morphs into writing, speaking, and coaching, this thread continues as each of these is fueled by the desire to pass something meaningful on to improve the lives of others and to reduce suffering. (Click here to view my favorite poem)

My recent passion for studying menopause and mid-life sexuality blossomed as I navigated all of the same stormy waters that my patients described. We are all truly in the same boat, on the planet, as women, in menopause, and with sexuality. My fascination with connection no doubt exploded after years of feeling its absence, and then finally understanding the transformative power of connection in terms of a deeply intimate sexual relationship after my first marriage ended. Perhaps studying sexuality was the Holy Grail for my lifelong fascination with connection; for what greater connection exists than that of truly loving sex?

What I have to offer through my education, experience, and observations is really not “my” story, it’s “our story.” What one of us feels, most of us feel. What one of us experiences, most of us experience. My hope is that the information you find here will help you to feel less alone, and more part of this great international sea of women connected by our common humanity and the desire to be happy and to be loved.