Why Me? A Fresh Perspective on an Age-Old Question.
I’m releasing it in honor and memory of my brother, Paul.
This month marks 25 years since we lost him.
When Paul died, I wrestled with God.
Why him?
Why our family?
Why this pain?
For years, “Why me?” felt like a cry of confusion and heartbreak.
But over time, that question began to shift.
Why do we question God in hardship…
Yet rarely ask “Why me?” when we are blessed?
Why do we feel entitled to good health, smooth seasons, and answered prayers —
but shocked when adversity arrives?
Paul’s passing forced me to confront grief, faith, compassion, and mental health in ways I never expected.
In the 25 years since losing him, I have learned:
• That love must be spoken out loud
• That mental health matters — deeply
• That silence can be dangerous
• That compassion changes lives
• That pain can make us bitter — or it can make us better
• That perspective changes everything
This book is not about having perfect faith.
It’s about asking better questions.
It’s about moving from:
“Why is this happening to me?”
to
“What might God be shaping in me?”
If even one person feels less alone…
If even one family chooses conversation over silence…
If even one heart shifts from bitterness to purpose…
Then Paul’s life — and his legacy — continue to matter.
This one is for you, Paul.
Authentically,
Annie
If this message resonates with you — whether personally or professionally — I would love to connect.
This book and keynote explore resilience, perspective, mental health awareness, and purpose through adversity.
And if you are carrying a story that still asks “Why Me?” — perhaps it’s time to turn that story into a message that serves others.
Delight in What Delights You
Delight in What Delights You
There’s a sacred kind of clarity that comes when you walk along the shoreline — the waves whispering, the sun warming your shoulders, the breeze brushing away yesterday’s worries. Recently, as I strolled the beach, I found myself wondering about delight.
Not success.
Not productivity.
Not the never-ending to-do list.
But delight.
What is a simple pleasure that brings you happiness, joy, or that little spark of childlike wonder?
What makes your heart sing and tempts your inner toddler to dance?
As I rounded a curve in the shoreline, I spotted dolphins leaping through the water. And instantly… delight.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a child, a teenager, a hardworking adult, or seasoned with a little silver wisdom — dolphins bring out the same reaction in all of us. They make us smile. They make our spirits lift. They invite us to pause. They remind us that life still holds magic.
What amazes me is this:
Even though I see them often — sometimes once, twice, even three times a day — they still delight me. Every single time. They never lose their sparkle.
And here’s the truth I want to offer you:
Don’t wait until you’re desperate for joy to remember what brings you joy.
Build delight into your daily life now, while your heart is steady, so that when storms roll in, you already have joy stored up.
So this week, I’d love for you to try something:
Make a list of 10 things that make you smile.
Simple things. Everyday things.
A warm cup of coffee.
A hilarious text from a friend.
Your favorite song on repeat.
The way sunlight hits your living room floor.
And then — no matter what you’re navigating, what deadlines are circling, or how heavy life feels — let those things bring you delight, the same way dolphins delight me.
To help you reflect, consider these questions:
When was the last time you felt genuinely delighted — and what sparked it?
What small moments of joy have you been overlooking because life feels busy or loud?
Where could you intentionally build more delight into your daily rhythm this week?
Finally, I’d love to hear from you.
What brings YOU delight, and how do you stay delightful even in challenging seasons?
Your joy might just inspire someone else to rediscover theirs.
