The Many Layers of Becoming
Michelle’s journey is a testament to the layers that make us human. Her life, like so many others, is not a straight line but a series of seasons—some filled with joy, others with pain, and all marked by growth. From her earliest days, Michelle’s story was shaped by uncertainty and perseverance. Born with health challenges, she spent her first year in foster care, waiting for a family to call her own. Adoption brought her into a loving, if imperfect, home, where she and her sister—adopted by another family—became each other’s first best friend and greatest support.
Childhood was a mix of light and shadow. Her parents’ divorce left a mark, and Michelle and her sister learned to lean on each other as their mother worked hard to provide. Even in those early years, Michelle sensed that life had a purpose for her, though what that purpose was would only become clear through time and trial.
The Call of Music and the Courage to Try
Music became Michelle’s first language of hope. With a violin in hand and a dream in her heart, she set her sights on Nashville, the city of music legends. But before she could get there, she stopped in Branson, Missouri—a place where dreams are tested by reality. She didn’t know anyone. She didn’t have a job or even a place to live. What she did have was determination.
Michelle’s approach to opportunity was simple: keep showing up. Night after night, she walked from theater to theater, handing out promotional packages and hoping for a chance. It wasn’t talent alone that opened doors, but her refusal to give up. On her seventieth attempt, she landed a spot with Wayne Newton’s band—a role that would shape her approach to music, professionalism, and perseverance.
Yet, even as she achieved this milestone, Michelle realized that success on stage was only part of her story. She longed for deeper meaning and connection—both in her music and her life.
Longing for Motherhood
While music was her passion, Michelle’s deepest longing was to be a mother. After marrying and moving to Nashville, she and her husband looked forward to building a family. The journey, however, was anything but easy.
Pregnancy brought both excitement and anxiety. Early complications led to a series of medical interventions, each one more daunting than the last. The hope of new life was quickly overshadowed by the reality of loss when Michelle’s daughter, Ashlyn, was born prematurely and lived only seven days.
The grief was all-consuming. Michelle describes this time as being buried—by sorrow, by uncertainty, and by the weight of dreams that seemed forever out of reach. Financial worries piled on top of emotional pain, as medical bills threatened the stability of her new family. Yet, even in the darkness, Michelle held onto the belief that there was a reason for her pain, that perhaps she was being planted for something greater.
The Season of Being Planted
Loss changes a person, but it can also reveal hidden strengths. For Michelle, the season of grief became a time of deep reflection and unexpected growth. As she processed the loss of her daughter, she found herself reaching out for comfort and support. Friends, family, and community rallied around her, offering kindness in ways both big and small.
Doctors told her she would never have children again. Her body had been through too much, they said. But Michelle’s spirit was not easily broken. She leaned into her faith, praying for a miracle and believing that her story was not finished. Against all odds, she became pregnant again—not once, but four times. Each child was a miracle, a testament to hope’s refusal to be extinguished.
Yet, Michelle’s empathy for others deepened. She understood the pain of those who longed for children but faced only disappointment. Her heart expanded to include not just her own family, but anyone walking through the shadows of grief, infertility, or broken dreams.
Turning Pain into Purpose
Michelle’s journey is not defined by loss, but by what she did with it. She learned that pain can be a seed, planted in the dark, that eventually grows into something beautiful. Rather than turning inward, she chose to reach out. She began writing—at first, for herself, and then for others. What started as a personal reflection became a series of books, each one crafted to offer comfort, encouragement, and hope.
Her first book, written in a weekend, was inspired by a simple gift she received after losing Ashlyn. The words in that book spoke to her soul in a way that flowers and casseroles could not. Michelle realized that sometimes, the smallest gestures—a book, a note, a listening ear—can be the most powerful.
Over time, she expanded her writing to include books on friendship, perseverance, and the daily challenges of life. Each book is a reflection of her belief that words have the power to heal, to connect, and to remind us that we are never alone.
The Power of Community
Throughout her journey, Michelle has leaned on community. Whether it was her group of “Sweet and Sassy Sisters,” her band Wirewood Station, or the broader network of friends and supporters, she found strength in connection. Music continued to be a source of healing and joy, both for herself and for those she performed for.
Michelle’s story is a reminder that we are not meant to walk through life’s hardest moments alone. Community, in all its forms, can be a lifeline—a place to share burdens, celebrate victories, and find the encouragement to keep going.
Weathering More Storms
Life continued to test Michelle’s resilience. A decade ago, she contracted a rare and deadly illness, hantavirus, while cleaning a family farmhouse. The experience brought her face-to-face with mortality once again. Surviving such a life-threatening condition deepened her gratitude for each day and reinforced her mission to love and encourage others.
Through all these trials, Michelle never stopped believing in the possibility of new beginnings. She embraced the idea that sometimes, we are not being buried by our struggles, but being planted for a future we cannot yet see.
Empathy, Kindness, and the Gift of Presence
One of Michelle’s greatest gifts is her empathy. She understands that not every journey ends with a miracle, and that grief looks different for everyone. She encourages others to honor their feelings, to give themselves time to heal, and to seek out the support they need.
Michelle’s approach to kindness is simple: show up, listen, and offer what you can. Sometimes, it’s not about fixing someone’s pain, but simply being present. She believes that words, when offered with love and sincerity, can breathe life back into those who feel lost or alone.
Her books, her music, and her daily interactions all reflect this core belief. Kindness, she says, is not just a virtue—it’s a calling.
Finding Purpose in the Journey
Michelle’s story is ultimately one of transformation. She moved from a place of uncertainty and loss to a life rooted in purpose and hope. Along the way, she discovered that her pain could be a source of empathy, her struggles a source of strength, and her story a beacon for others.
She encourages everyone to look for purpose in their own journey. Whether you are in a season of loss, longing, or growth, she believes that your story matters. The roots you are growing now may one day bloom into something beautiful, even if you cannot see it yet.
Key Takeaways
- Purpose can emerge from pain. Even in the darkest moments, you may be growing roots for a new season of life.
- Perseverance opens doors. Grit and determination can create opportunities where talent alone may not be enough.
- Grief is a journey, not a timeline. Allow yourself to process, and know that hope can grow even in the hardest moments.
- Kindness matters. Small acts of love and empathy can change lives and bring healing.
- Your story is worth sharing. Every journey, no matter how ordinary or extraordinary, has the power to uplift others.
Explore Michelle’s Work
- Books:
- Where Love Always Lives (grief and hope)
- Cheers to Hot Flashes and Friendships (menopause and friendship)
- The Treasure of the Old Violin (children’s book about music and connection)
- Great Big Goals, Small People with Big Grit (children’s book on perseverance)
- Eli’s Extra Mile (children’s book on kindness and going the extra mile)
- All available on Amazon.
- Music:
- Michelle is a founding member of Wirewood Station, an award-winning band known for their uplifting performances.
- Connect:
- Follow Michelle and Wirewood Station on social media for encouragement, music, and more stories of hope.
Listen to the Full Episode
Michelle’s journey is so much more than can be captured here. To hear her voice, her laughter, and the full depth of her story, listen to the episode below or on your favorite podcast platform.