Life has an uncanny way of testing us. Sometimes, the challenges feel insurmountable, the weight of loss too heavy to bear. But within these moments of profound grief, if we listen closely, a path forward often emerges—one rooted in a purpose greater than ourselves.

For me, that moment came with the heartbreaking loss of several loved ones in rapid succession. My journey started with a childhood dream to own a piece of land in Tamana, a rural paradise in Trinidad and Tobago. But as the dream was within my grasp, life dealt me unimaginable blows.

In 2022, I lost the mother of my kids at just 41 years old due to an allergic reaction from depression medication. It was a devastating loss, a wake-up call to how fragile and fleeting life can be. Only a few months later, my sister passed away from a sudden cardiac arrest in her sleep, and shortly before that, my younger brother faced the unimaginable: the loss of both legs due to diabetes complications.

Grief became my constant companion, and the world seemed to stop making sense. Dreams I had cherished for years—owning and revitalizing a coffee and cocoa estate in Tamana—suddenly felt insignificant compared to the overwhelming pain and questions about life’s fragility.

But even amidst the grief, there was something undeniable: the realization that life must go on and that purpose can be born from pain. My loved ones’ struggles illuminated a deeper issue—the connection between lifestyle, wellness, and long-term health. I began to see a broader mission for the land I had dreamed of owning.

The vision shifted from creating an Eco-Agri Resort to something much more profound: a space where people could heal, reconnect with nature, and build healthier lives. The Tamana Wellness Center was born not just from my desire to fulfill a childhood dream but as a tribute to those I had lost. It became my way of ensuring their legacy would inspire others to prioritize their health, happiness, and connection to loved ones.

Grief has a way of paralyzing us, but persistence breaks those chains. When setbacks come—and they always do—it’s the willingness to rise again that determines whether we stay down or grow stronger. For me, persistence has meant channeling every ounce of my pain into a vision of healing and hope.

Persistence taught me to:

1. Focus on the Bigger Picture: It’s not about avoiding pain but allowing it to guide us to a greater purpose.

2. Reconnect With My “Why”: My dream wasn’t just about owning land but about building something that could transform lives.

3. Keep Moving Forward: Even small steps each day accumulate into significant progress over time.

Today, the Tamana Wellness Center represents so much more than land, buildings, or even the coffee farm. It’s a sanctuary for healing, growth, and connection. It’s a place where people can walk through the rainforest, feel the earth beneath their feet, learn about sustainable farming, and savor the peace that nature provides.

Tamana Coffee, the first step in realizing this dream, tells a story with every cup—a story of resilience, healing, and a reminder to cherish the moments we have while creating a future rooted in wellness and purpose.

Through persistence, I’ve learned that personal loss doesn’t have to mean the end of everything; it can also be a beginning. Every sip of coffee, every conversation at the Tamana Wellness Center, and every connection fostered by this mission is part of a legacy far greater than me.

We all face pain and loss, but in that pain lies an opportunity—to rise, to create, and to leave a mark that helps others find hope.

Let the power of persistence remind you: Even in the darkest moments, there is light waiting to break through.