The book portrays how life challenges shape the person you become. A person that can dig deep,
find immense inner strength and positivity. Past experiences and how you dealt with them can be
drawn upon to deal with the hardest, most devastating event of all – loss.
Julie’s life with her husband Cas was one of love, contentment and achievement. They were 5 years
into an idyllic retirement when tragedy struck in 2018. In an instant, life was shattered. All future
plans together were gone.
‘Grief is individual, unique in how it is felt, expressed and dealt with. I wrote a journal from day one,
continuing for 14 months. I cannot believe that I wrote such vindictive, harsh and condemning
comments as my unplanned, unwanted journey through grief continued. As I reflect on those dark
days, I do not recognise myself. I certainly did not like ‘me’ at that time.’
It takes a brave person to share extracts from a journal, to lay bare such personal emotions.
However, Julie wants to portray an honest account of the true feelings of disbelief, despair and grief,
not often spoken about. Her bizarre and extreme emotions were not only felt, but also verbally
expressed and directed to family and friends – to the very people who cared about her.
Her recovery to finding herself again has been gruelling, to say the least. She has had to find ways to
‘put the lid on’ 3 healing boxes, find her way out of the dark pit she was in, and then find a purpose.
Her purpose presented itself in COVID-19, where the pandemic needed an army of nurses to take on
the challenge to vaccinate. Julie has been involved in the vaccination of over 8,000 people. She
continues to work in the NHS on a flexible, part time basis.
‘I soon realised that I had two choices – to survive and live an alternative life, an option B to what
was planned, or to continue the decline in health and stay stuck in grief. I decided that I must not
only survive, but also live a life of positivity, to adopt a positive mental attitude and feel gratitude for
what I have and indeed for what I had. I truly believe that positivity, setting goals and achieving
them, has got me to where I am today. I am living my option B life with Pete, whom I have known for
32 years. I am in my house of 24 years, that I love but nearly sold. My 3 sons are living their lives and
are happy that I am living mine’
Julie’s book ‘It is what it is’ has been written to help others. The initial, limited editions were printed
for family and friends to buy. All profit from these sales was donated to the British Heart
Foundation. She hopes readers understand that it is OK to express how you feel, you have an excuse.
But then to try and park those emotions and adopt a positive mental attitude to guide you through
the long arduous journey of grief.
It is what it is’ by Julie Morehen is officially on sale from 31st March, and can be ordered HERE:
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