Originally written in 2025, during my dad’s hospitalization.
When Life Hits Pause
When life hits pause, it reminds us of what matters most.
This past week has been an emotional whirlwind. My dad was rushed to the hospital with severe chest pains and ended up needing triple bypass surgery.
Two years earlier, we faced another frightening experience when he burned his feet walking on the hot sand in Cocoa Beach. Facing another emergency, my heart sank.
One of my first thoughts was, “How do I tell my clients I need to reschedule?” That’s the reality of running a business on your own. Even when you’re scared, you’re thinking about everyone counting on you.
But life has a way of reminding us that sometimes, everything else needs to wait.
More Than Appointments on a Calendar
Now that my dad has been cleared to leave the ICU, I can finally take a breath. The love, messages, and prayers have meant the world to me.
My nail clients are so much more than appointments on a calendar. They are my friends, my cheerleaders, and my extended family.
For that one hour every three weeks, we share stories, laughter, life updates, and sometimes tears. These women have prayed for me, supported me, and lifted me up when I needed it most.
My business is built on beauty, but the love and connection behind it make it truly special. 💕
A Heartfelt Thank-You to AdventHealth Orlando
I owe a huge thank-you to the incredible staff at AdventHealth Orlando.
Their cardiovascular team helped save my dad’s life twice: first when he suffered a heart attack while waiting for surgery, and again when they performed his triple bypass.
On Saturday, while he was waiting to learn the surgical plan, the heart attack happened. Nurses were already in his room, and suddenly, alarms were sounding and a team surrounded him.
Hearing him describe that moment still gives me chills.
“Guys, I’m scared!” he told them.
He said it felt exactly like the heart attack he had experienced 25 years earlier. Thankfully, the team responded immediately, and he made it through.
His surgery took place on Monday. Those hours felt endless, but the surgery was a success. After two days in the cardiovascular ICU, he was resting comfortably in a regular hospital room.
Finally, we could breathe a little easier.
A Dream That Stayed With Me
There is another part of this experience that I want to share because it felt deeply meaningful to me.
I’m a big dreamer. My dreams can be vivid and emotional, and sometimes they leave me with feelings I can’t easily explain.
On October 15, I had a disturbing dream about my dad. It shook me so much that I couldn’t bring myself to tell my husband that morning.
In the dream, it was daylight, but the wind was whipping around like the strongest hurricane imaginable. To my right, I saw my dad’s late brother and sister.
I spoke to Uncle Tony.
“Hey, you have a teal shirt just like your older brother!”
He looked at me, smiled, and turned to walk away. Then I looked to my left and saw my dad sitting up in a hospital bed.
That morning, I called Dad to check on him.
“How are you doing?”
“We’re fine for being old fogies,” he said.
I asked whether he and Bev were both feeling well. He assured me they were. Later, I shared the dream with my sister, but the feeling stayed with me.
An Unexpected Moment at Home
On January 22, Dad told his wife and friends that he had been having chest pain. They urged him to get checked, and he went to the emergency room. Before long, he was being transferred to AdventHealth East Orlando.
The next day, he sent a message to our family group letting us know he was in the hospital.
That morning, while I was playing with nail art at home, I heard a sudden crash followed by shattering glass.
I walked into the kitchen and found that the glass chicken-shaped container holding my crystals had broken. Glass and crystals were scattered across the floor.
One pointed crystal caught my attention, and I grabbed my phone to take a photo. At that moment, I hadn’t read the family messages.
It wasn’t until later that I saw Dad had texted us at 10:40 a.m. The glass had shattered around 10:50 a.m.
I can’t explain the timing. To me, it was startling and strangely meaningful, especially with that earlier dream still in my mind.
The crystals are a story for another day. What mattered most was knowing my dad was receiving the care he needed.
Grateful for the People Who Carry Us Through
This experience reminded me how quickly an ordinary day can change.
It also reminded me how much strength we find in the people around us: family, friends, caring medical teams, and clients who become part of our lives far beyond the nail table.
To everyone who sent a message, said a prayer, or showed patience when I needed to adjust an appointment: thank you.
And to everyone who helped save our dad’s life, we are forever grateful.
We love you, Mr. Dominic. XOX ❤️