Hi I’m Daphne. I was raised in a small ranching town in eastern Oregon, and graduated from Western Oregon University in law enforcement. I went on to a lengthy career as an adult parole officer. Following a devastating car accident in 2008, which resulted in the tragic death of my five year old daughter, I found a new purpose and passion in life.
In 2011, I co-founded a non-profit in memory of my daughter, Lydia’s Love, which provides birthday celebrations to children in need. I blog and write about finding hope amidst grief and loss. My new book, Barely Breathing: 10 Secrets to Surviving the Loss of a Child is to be released July 16, 2019. I am also the co-author of Grief Diaries—Will We Survive book—a collection of stories from parents on marriage after the death of a child.
I am a member of the Oregon Christian Writers Association and also served for five years on the steering committee of The Compassionate Friends in Salem, Oregon. I am a contributing writer on The Mighty and Havingtime and I have contributed to many books and websites, sharing my experiences on life, loss and finding hope. I am passionate about my faith and I believe in the healing power of sharing life experiences with others.
In my spare time I volunteer with Ellie’s Way, a non-profit organization providing hope and outreach for the bereaved and While We’re Waiting, faith based retreats for bereaved parents. Currently, I reside in Oregon, with my husband and four other children, along with my farm animals—sheep, pigs, chickens and dogs.
