During the month of October, I don’t just mark time — I honor the truth that I am a survivor, no longer a victim. For years, I lived without realizing what I was enduring. I always felt that I was walking on eggshells, silencing my own voice. My gut told me something was deeply wrong, but I couldn’t name it. Later, I learned that a circle of friends had been quietly praying for me — and somehow, their prayers gave me the strength to see what I could no longer deny.And in the quiet of my garden, I discovered healing, too. Tending to seeds and soil, watching tender shoots emerge into full bloom — it reminded me that growth takes time, patience, and care. The earth whispered what needed most: that new life can rise from broken ground.
With my beloved dog, Mr. Coconut, I trained daily — walking five miles and practicing intervals. Though he wasn’t allowed to run the 5K with me, he trained faithfully at my side every step of the way. That race became a milestone not only of strength, but of freedom. My circle of women grew as I connected with others who also love fashion. Slowly, I began to believe: This is not who I am. This will not define me. If another woman walked into Essentially Francesca today, I would tell her how beautiful she is, how worthy she is, and how nothing in this world is worth giving up her ability to be herself.