It was October 2001, and I was the school social worker at Sheridan Hills Elementary School in Richfield, MN. I was asked to participate with the Parent Teacher Organization to offer my services and get feedback from the group. Fun to look back to read what I wrote (yes, I kept all of this and found it in October 2021—wow, I just realized the God wink in that:).

October 2001 (I was 32 years old) I had a 6-year-old son and a 3-year-old daughter. Today October 30, 2022, as I write this, my son is 28 my daughter 25. Oh wow, another God wink…writing this one year after I found all of these old notes.

Here is what I said at the PTO meeting in October 2001:

I knew it would happen someday. I knew I would figure out why I am here, and what my purpose is in life. I didn’t realize it would happen this quickly or in this way. But here I am, in front of you, mothers and fathers, teachers and family invested in children’s lives. We naturally have something in common our sons and daughters are all between the ages of 0-18. I always wanted to speak to parents. I have this wealth of information sitting in my brain waiting to be released. Thank you for this honor, and for acknowledging that I have something to say.

I know that parents have questions. I have questions too, but mostly I have answers. I think I was given answers as part of my overall purpose. My purpose is to help you…you the parents of Sheridan Hills’ students, the parents of my son’s friends. I have answers for you. I have ears to listen and responses that will make you think, and ultimately make you feel better. The amazing part is I don’t have much control over what I seem to know or how I go about answering your questions. If I offend you,  you must let me know. I have wanted to speak to parents for so long, but I never knew how to go about getting my audience, and then you invited me. Thank you. I feel so blessed to be here. Now the problem of course is that I can talk incessantly. What I want to do is listen. I want to hear from you, I want to help. Here are some of my skills that I can offer you: Dear Aly column in the school newsletter. Parenting Support Group. Parenting Seminar/series on topics you choose. Monthly talks, different topics each month.

The parents and teachers were then given a form to complete to tell me which service they preferred. 88% wanted the Dear Aly Column. 69% wanted monthly talks. 63% wanted Parenieng seminars/series. And 56% wanted parenting support groups.

I only stayed at Sheridan Hills for one more year. Before I went into private practice, I moved on to being a hospital social worker, nursing home social worker, then a clinical therapist for a community mental health clinic. I started River Counseling, opening my doors in Isanti, MN November 2008.

July 1, 2020, River Counseling expanded, and I was well on my way to having a large reputable mental health clinic in central MN.

Then everything stopped.

August 8, 2020, 3:47 pm I was in a motorcycle accident. And everything just stopped.

One year after the motorcycle accident, I realized my ability to work as a mental health therapist would never be the same! I continued on my healing journey and realized that I was still the owner of a successful mental health clinic, and my daughter had been the captain of this great ship since 8/8/20 at 3:48 pm. Thank you, God! Thank you, Cassy! And thank you to all the gifted and talented therapists who work at River Counseling!

But what about all this wisdom I still have inside me? What about all the answers I have to give to people seeking answers about parenting, divorce, affairs, love, hurt, life and death? I still have more to share! I still want to help others. My life story has paralleled many, and the insights gained I want to share…

Early 2021 I had a delightful opportunity to get to know Elizabeth Fry of mamasoulcare.com, and I shared with her that 20 years ago, I was Dear Aly for an elementary school in Richfield, MN. She wanted Daer Aly to be a part of her ministry, so we moved in that direction. I was relieved that it did not move quickly, my contributions were small, and the timing was not right. But it all got me thinking and praying, and I started looking through old files and came across my very first Dear Aly publication in the school newsletter, all my notes, and I began to wonder if being Dear Aly again might be an option. Slowly, on days my PCS symptoms are less, my emotional regulation system is functioning, and I have the motivation to write. I began to work with web designers at GoBlue42, who helped me to create a Dear Aly website. We launched in October 2022. And today, I get to write this article as a token of history to where I have been and where I am now, with hopes of someday looking back and knowing I did something to help others on their journey.

Here is what I know. I am a wounded warrior. I have experienced profound emotional and mental anguish, and I discovered the only healer was God. Along the way, I learned to ask for wisdom. And it has been bestowed onto me. I hope only that God gets the glory, that I am a servant to him who has rescued me from deep pits of pain. He shed light for me that I may shed light on others. And I always point people to Jesus with loving words and gifts of His truth. You are loved; you are worthy. Your questions matter. Your life matters. Don’t give up searching for your true self. God is in this with all of us.

Even though I may never be a clinical therapist again, I can still help others. From my couch, behind a computer screen, with dictation turned on and programs embedded in my computer to help me communicate. I can still offer the wisdom that has been given to me. Many of you who will be the first to visit this Dear Aly website or come upon this article will be able to read what I wrote 20+ years ago to decide for yourself what you think of me now. I’d love your feedback and reviews. And if you believe what I offer is valuable, please pass this on to your friends and family.

God’s not done with me yet. Let’s do this:)