My Life Crumbled into Pieces
My life crumbled when secrets came to light in 2018. This is my story of loss, resilience, and the first step toward healing.
I was living a dream life—until a devastating betrayal shattered everything I thought I knew. This is the story of how I faced heartbreak, public shame, and unimaginable grief—and the small steps I took toward healing.
Life Before the Storm
In 2018, I felt like I was standing on top of the world. My life was full and vibrant—At the time, I had six children, their spouses and twenty grandchildren. I also owned a thriving business called The Ladybug, a unique restaurant and spa combination.
The Amish supplied fresh produce for our menu, and we built everything from scratch with health and flavor in mind. We had two locations, both filled with life and love. For six months each year, the business flourished, and for the other six months, my husband and I traveled.
We saw the world, visited family, and even worked with the homeless in ministry. My husband and I prayed together daily. We built businesses together. And from the outside, it looked like a perfect life.
The Secret That Shattered Everything
But behind closed doors, a terrible truth was hidden. My husband of fourteen years was living a double life. In 2018, his secrets came to light—he was arrested for abusing my own grandchildren.
The shock was devastating. How could the man I trusted, the man I loved, carry such darkness? My world collapsed in an instant.
The story hit local newspapers. Headlines splashed across front pages. Our family’s name was dragged into the spotlight. The Amish farmers who partnered with us were shamed. People judged without knowing the full truth. I wanted to disappear.
Facing the Pain
I didn’t know what to do. My heart was broken for my grandchildren and my other family members. My trust was destroyed. My business—the thing I poured my soul into—was stained by association.
Should I stay by his side and get him the help he needs for this sickness?Should I walk away? I didn’t know what the future held. I only knew that nothing would ever be the same.
My Sister’s Advice
In the middle of my grief, I reached out to my older sister, a critical care nurse. She listened patiently and then gave me advice that would change everything:
“Wendy, get on a cruise ship. Go somewhere quiet. Pray. Think. And decide.”
So that’s what I did. I booked a cruise, hoping the sea would help me find clarity.
The First Step Toward Healing
On that ship, I cried, I prayed, and I wrestled with the hardest decision of my life. And slowly, I felt peace. It was okay to let go. It was okay to choose freedom.
That decision didn’t erase the pain, but it became the first step toward healing.
What I Learned
Looking back, I realize this painful chapter shaped me into who I am today. I learned that healing doesn’t come all at once—it comes in small steps, in quiet moments, in the courage to keep moving forward
I also learned that even in the darkest storms, God can whisper hope into our hearts.
Grandma Wendy’s Reflection
If you’ve ever had your life turned upside down, I want you to know this: you are not alone.
Pain doesn’t define you. Betrayal doesn’t have the final word. Healing is possible, one step at a time.
Sometimes everything must fall apart before the pieces can come together into something stronger, braver, and more beautiful.
