My Journey: The Heart Behind Love N Light Awakenings
My journey into Reiki and sound healing was born from deeply personal experiences, particularly the years I spent caring for loved ones through serious illness.
But my story reaches much further back.
I have survived domestic violence, raised my daughters as a single mother, built careers in public safety, aviation, and surgical technology, and experienced both the extraordinary beauty and profound heartbreak of human life.
Those experiences shaped my belief that caring for another person is a responsibility that deserves compassion, integrity, and genuine respect.
“Do the right thing, even when no one is watching.”
That principle has guided me throughout my life and remains at the heart of Love N Light Awakenings.
HEAL • ALIGN • PROTECT • EMPOWER
Where My Desire to Help Others Began
As a young teenager, I dreamed of becoming either a psychiatrist or an attorney. Although those professions were very different, my motivation was the same: I wanted to help people.
I eventually enrolled in college to study paralegal work. But life took me down roads I never could have anticipated.
Marriage and motherhood became part of my story, along with some of the most difficult experiences of my life.
For 13 years, I endured domestic violence. When I finally tried to leave my marriage, my husband attempted to take my life.
I survived.
I found myself raising my two daughters as a single mother, determined to build a better life for us.
Those years taught me about courage, perseverance, and finding the strength to keep moving forward even when the future seemed uncertain.
I didn't know it then, but those experiences would become part of the foundation of compassion, determination, and integrity upon which I would eventually build Love N Light Awakenings.
HEAL • ALIGN • PROTECT • EMPOWER
A Career Built on Responsibility and Service
As a single mother raising my two daughters, I worked nights as a dispatcher for the Kentucky State Police. That experience taught me the importance of remaining calm, thinking clearly, and responding responsibly when others were facing difficult or frightening circumstances.
After several years, my career took another turn when I entered the airline industry.
I began working for United Airlines and later joined Northwest Airlines, where I discovered a career I truly loved.
Over the years, I worked in nearly every aspect of airport operations, including aircraft ramp operations, loading and unloading airplanes, passenger boarding, gate operations, and ticket counter services.
Eventually, I was promoted to Assistant Manager, helping oversee approximately 20 employees.
One of the greatest joys of working for the airlines was having the opportunity to travel with my daughters. I took them to Hawaii, along with other wonderful destinations. Those memories remain among the happiest of my life.
But my years in aviation also included moments that changed our world forever.
On September 11, 2001, I was working on the airport ramp, bringing in an aircraft, when we received word that United States airspace had been shut down.
I hurried into our operations area and watched in disbelief as the second airplane struck the World Trade Center.
I will never forget that day.
The aviation industry changed dramatically afterward. As new security measures were introduced, I also began working for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) while continuing my work with Northwest Airlines.
Eventually, the demands of both positions became too much, and I chose to continue my full-time career with Northwest.
I loved my work and the people I worked alongside.
But following the merger between Northwest Airlines and Delta, my employment came to an end.
Although losing a career I loved was difficult, the opportunity for continuing education opened a new door.
I didn't know it yet, but that unexpected change would lead me toward some of the most profound experiences of my life.
HEAL • ALIGN • PROTECT • EMPOWER
Entering the Medical Field: A New Understanding of Human Life
I returned to college and initially pursued nursing.
After several semesters, I realized that my interests were drawing me toward a more hands-on role in the operating room.
I changed my educational path to surgical technology, completed my two-year program, earned my diploma, and passed my national certification examinations.
I went on to work as a surgical technologist, assisting surgeons and other medical professionals during surgical procedures.
My training taught me the importance of aseptic technique, preventing contamination, maintaining a sterile surgical environment, and understanding the tremendous responsibility entrusted to every member of the operating room team.
But some of the most important lessons I learned had little to do with surgical instruments.
They had everything to do with human dignity.
When a patient is under anesthesia, they are at one of the most vulnerable moments of their life.
They cannot speak for themselves. They cannot advocate for their own needs. They must trust the people caring for them.
I took that responsibility very seriously.
And I carried one guiding principle into everything I did:
“Do the right thing, even when no one is watching.”
That principle remains part of my moral compass today.
HEAL • ALIGN • PROTECT • EMPOWER
The First Breath: A Moment I Will Never Forget
Of all the experiences I had in the operating room, one moment stands above the rest.
I was assisting with a cesarean delivery in the maternity operating room.
During the procedure, the surgeon entrusted me with lifting the baby from its mother.
As I held that precious little life, the surgeon opened the fluid-filled sac surrounding the baby.
And then something extraordinary happened.
That baby took its very first deep breath in my hands.
And then came its first cry.
I cannot adequately describe the emotions I experienced in that moment.
Before that mother had even seen or held her newborn, I had been entrusted with the care of her baby.
I was witnessing the very beginning of a human life.
It was one of the most profound experiences I have ever had.
In those few seconds, something within me changed.
I became deeply aware of how precious, fragile, and extraordinary life truly is, and how much care, responsibility, and compassion it demands from us.
That experience changed the way I thought about caring for other human beings.
It was no longer simply about performing my professional duties correctly.
It was about recognizing the value and dignity of every life entrusted to our care.
I have never forgotten that first breath, that first cry, or the responsibility I felt while holding that baby.
And I never will.
HEAL • ALIGN • PROTECT • EMPOWER
When My Professional Training Became Personal
Looking back, I truly believe God was preparing me for something I couldn't yet understand.
When I entered the medical field, I thought I was preparing for a career in surgery.
I didn't realize how much that education and experience would prepare me for the difficult years of caregiving that lay ahead.
My grandmother became seriously ill with cancer, and our family moved her into my parents' home.
I moved in as well to help care for her.
Her needs became a full-time responsibility. My days and nights revolved around making sure she was comfortable, safe, and cared for.
As her illness progressed, she also developed dementia.
For years, my personal life became secondary to her care. Even when I occasionally went out, I needed to return home in time to help her with her evening routine.
Eventually, my grandmother passed away.
Losing her was heartbreaking.
But the caregiving chapter of my life was far from over.
About a year later, my father became seriously ill. He was diagnosed with leukemia and battled cancer for a couple of years.
I helped care for him at home and accompanied him to chemotherapy appointments, sometimes three times a week.
It was during those appointments that I first encountered Reiki as a complementary wellness practice being offered to people undergoing cancer treatment.
I was intrigued.
I began researching Reiki and exploring how it might offer comfort and support during difficult times.
I wanted to learn everything I could, hoping to find another way to help my father through his illness.
Although I did not have the opportunity to practice Reiki on him, that introduction opened a door I would never close.
My father eventually passed away.
Losing him brought another profound heartbreak into my life.
But the curiosity that began during his treatments remained with me.
In 2022, I began my Reiki education through Natural Healer.
From there, my studies expanded into crystals, chakras, energy work, and eventually the beautiful world of sound healing.
What began as a desire to help someone I loved became a journey of learning, discovery, and personal transformation.
And slowly, a new purpose began taking shape.
HEAL • ALIGN • PROTECT • EMPOWER
The Journey Continues: Finding Purpose Through Healing
As I continued my studies, I began discovering the many ways people seek peace, relaxation, and a deeper connection with themselves.
Reiki opened the door, but my curiosity continued to grow.
I explored crystals, chakras, energetic practices, and the remarkable world of sound.
I discovered the beauty of singing bowls, tuning forks, and other instruments used in sound healing.
Each new course and experience gave me another opportunity to learn, reflect, and grow.
My journey has never been about collecting certificates or titles.
For me, education is a responsibility. If someone places their trust in me, I want to honor that trust by continuing to develop my knowledge, skills, and understanding.
The experiences of my life have taught me that everyone carries a story we may know nothing about.
Some people carry grief. Others carry stress, uncertainty, exhaustion, or the weight of caring for everyone around them.
I understand how important it can be to have a peaceful moment where nothing is expected of you.
A moment to rest.
A moment to breathe.
A moment to simply be.
That is the spirit in which I created Love N Light Awakenings.
I cannot change someone's past or promise to heal every difficulty they face.
But I can offer kindness, respect, a welcoming environment, and complementary wellness experiences intended to encourage relaxation and personal reflection.
And I can continue learning, growing, and showing up with the same guiding principle that has accompanied me throughout my life:
“Do the right thing, even when no one is watching.”
HEAL • ALIGN • PROTECT • EMPOWER
A Daughter's Love: Caring for My Mother While Building a Future
Some of the greatest lessons in life are not learned in a classroom or through a professional career. They are learned through love, sacrifice, loss, responsibility, and the determination to keep moving forward, even when life takes a direction we never expected.
My parents shared a love story that began long before their 58 years of marriage.
They actually started dating when they were just 12 and 13 years old. My father would walk my mother to her piano lessons and take her to the movies. What began as a childhood romance grew into a lifetime together, filled with memories, challenges, devotion, and a family that would eventually span four generations.
My father was a very strong-willed and determined man. He could certainly be difficult at times, but one thing our family never had to question was his commitment to taking care of the people he loved.
He looked after my mother, me, my two daughters, and eventually my three grandchildren, his great-grandchildren.
And as for that strong will and determination? Well, I think we all know where I inherited those qualities!
My mother often looks at me and says, “I don't know what I would do without you, Kim.”
Those words mean more to me than she may ever realize. My father spent his life taking care of our family, and now I have the privilege of continuing that love and devotion. I see so much of him in myself, from his strong will and determination to his unwavering commitment to the people he loved.
And although I cannot take away my mother's grief or replace the husband she shared 58 years with, I can make sure she never has to face this chapter of her life alone.
When we lost my father, his absence left an enormous hole in all our lives. But no one felt that loss more deeply than my mother.
Even today, the grief is still very real for her. After sharing nearly an entire lifetime with someone, learning to live without them is not something that simply gets easier because time has passed.
My mother is now 80 years old. She no longer drives or cooks for herself, and I have become her full-time caregiver.
My life has changed tremendously because of those responsibilities. For several years, many of my own plans and personal goals have had to wait. There are sacrifices that come with caregiving, both physically and emotionally, and there are days when the weight of that responsibility can feel overwhelming.
But there is one thing I know with absolute certainty.
I will do everything within my ability to make sure my mother is cared for, protected, loved, and given the best quality of life possible.
She spent so many years caring for our family. Now it is my turn to be there for her.
I also understand something that is not always easy to acknowledge. None of us will be here forever. I know my time with my mother is precious, and I know that one day I will have to face another heartbreaking goodbye.
That reality has shaped not only how I care for her today, but also how I prepare for tomorrow.
HEAL • ALIGN • PROTECT • EMPOWER
Building Something Meaningful Behind the Scenes
While my life may have appeared to be on hold, I was not standing still.
For the past five years, quietly and mostly behind closed doors, I have been building something that means more to me than I can adequately put into words.
In between caring for my mother, managing daily responsibilities, and being there for my family, I used whatever extra time I could find to continue my education.
I took courses, studied healing practices, expanded my knowledge, and worked toward developing the skills I would need to create a meaningful future.
Whenever I could afford to, I invested in another healing instrument. I continued learning about Reiki, sound healing, energy work, and the many ways these practices could be incorporated into a supportive wellness experience.
Sometimes progress was slow. Sometimes life demanded that everything else come first.
But I never stopped planning.
I was building Love N Light Awakenings one course, one instrument, one certification, and one step at a time.
And I was doing it for reasons that went far beyond opening a business.
I wanted to create something that could eventually help me support my mother financially as her needs change with age.
I wanted to build something that would allow me to continue being present for my family, including my three grandchildren, while creating a future for myself.
And perhaps most importantly, I wanted to have something meaningful to hold on to when life eventually brings another loss.
I know that when the day comes for me to say goodbye to my mother, I will grieve deeply. Nothing can prevent that heartbreak, and no business or accomplishment could ever replace her.
But I also know that having a purpose, a passion, and something I have worked so hard to build may help me find my footing again.
I don't want my life to end emotionally when another chapter of it closes.
I want to honor the people I love by continuing to live, continuing to grow, and continuing to help others.
HEAL • ALIGN • PROTECT • EMPOWER
Five Years Later, Here I Am
Today, after five years of learning, planning, sacrificing, and preparing, I am finally ready to take the next step.
Love N Light Awakenings represents far more than the services I offer.
It represents perseverance through uncertainty.
It represents the love of a daughter who refuses to turn away from her responsibilities.
It represents the determination I inherited from my father, the compassion I continue to learn through caring for my mother, and the hope I have for my children, grandchildren, and the future.
My journey has not followed a straight or easy path. There have been unexpected turns, heartbreaking losses, responsibilities I never imagined, and moments when I had to put my own dreams aside.
But even during those years, I was quietly preparing for the next chapter of my life.
And now, five years later, here I am.
Still a daughter. Still a mother. Still a grandmother. Still a caregiver.
But also a woman who has worked tirelessly to turn her experiences, education, compassion, and determination into something meaningful.
I am ready for the next journey to begin.
Not because life has become easier, or because my responsibilities have disappeared, but because I have learned that it is possible to care deeply for others while still building a future of my own.
Love N Light Awakenings was built with love, strengthened through sacrifice, and created with the hope of bringing comfort, peace, and healing into the lives of others.
And in many ways, that is the greatest tribute I could ever give to the family who taught me what love, strength, and devotion truly mean.
HEAL • ALIGN • PROTECT • EMPOWER
Why I Created Love N Light Awakenings
My dream is to offer a peaceful, welcoming space where people feel respected, comfortable, and safe enough to relax and explore their own wellness journey.
There is much more to my story than a certification or an instrument. My experiences have taught me the importance of listening without judgment, offering compassion, and treating every person with dignity.
Through Love N Light Awakenings, I hope to create an environment rooted in kindness, integrity, and genuine care.
I invite you to discover the experiences, faith, and determination that brought me here.
HEAL • ALIGN • PROTECT • EMPOWER
A New Chapter: Having My Journey Recognized
One of the most meaningful lessons along my journey has been learning to believe in the value of my own experiences, education, and dedication.
When I first joined the Global Sound Practitioner Alliance (GSPA), I was welcomed as an Apprentice-level Founding Member. While I was grateful for the opportunity, I knew that my journey included many hours of education, hands-on healing experience, and a deep commitment to continued learning.
Rather than allowing my story to be defined by a single membership level, I reached out and shared more about my background.
On October 20, 2026, I received wonderful news. GSPA confirmed that my 200+ hours of Natural Healer education and 40+ hours of practical healing experience were accepted toward its membership requirements, making me eligible for Professional Membership.
That recognition meant so much to me.
It reminded me that advocating for yourself with kindness, honesty, and perseverance can open doors.
My journey has never been about collecting titles. It has always been about learning, growing, serving others, and honoring the experiences that have shaped who I am.
And this beautiful new chapter is another reminder that the journey is still unfolding.
HEAL • ALIGN • PROTECT • EMPOWER
My Promise to You: A Space Built on Trust
If there is one thing my life's journey has taught me, it is that every person deserves to be treated with compassion, dignity, and respect.
I know what it means to face difficult circumstances, to care for loved ones, to experience loss, and to find the courage to begin again.
Those experiences are part of who I am, and they influence the care and intention I bring to Love N Light Awakenings.
My hope is that when you enter this space, whether in person or virtually, you feel welcomed and respected.
You do not have to arrive with all the answers.
You do not have to be anything other than yourself.
My intention is to offer a peaceful environment where you can take time for your own well-being through Reiki, sound, mindfulness, and other complementary wellness practices.
I will continue to learn, grow, and approach my work with sincerity and integrity.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about the experiences that brought me here.
My journey is still unfolding, and I am grateful for the opportunity to share this chapter with you.
