Margo Gallagher is someone I’ve known since our sons met in preschool almost thirty years ago. In those early years of childhood our boys spent many hours together. At our house sports were on the agenda while an afternoon at Margo’s always included arts and crafts. I never complained about having to drive over to the other side of town to pick up after a playdate because it always meant I got the chance to visit with her. To catch up on life and see whatever new creative project she had spread across the big table in the living room.

And then one day our lives took a dramatic turn. I remember it like it was yesterday. A message left on our answering machine, her husband Dennis reminding us to sign the boys up for Little League. And then, a few days later, that voice was gone.

I’ll let Margo tell the story, after all, it is hers to tell. You can listen to it on this week’s episode of the podcast here.

Margo is an extraordinary person, someone I have long admired. This is an poignant conversation about loss, about walking into the tunnel of grief and coming out the other side. It’s about the lessons she’s learned through some difficult years and how she put the pieces back together again. But mostly it’s about sharing what she’s learned to help others.

She is a mother, artist and activist. She is a co-owner of Vibe Gallery, a showcase for local artists in Petaluma, California. Margo’s own creative work includes beautiful mandalas she calls “Kaleida-Stars”, work that symbolizes the shattering and reconfiguring of life that comes through loss.  She has been a Hospice Volunteer for more than 10 years and a vital part of supporting the local community celebration of El Dia de Los Muertos.

I am so grateful to her for sharing her journey with me.

To learn  more about Margo, please check out these links.

KaleidaStars - Margo's original artwork

Vibe Gallery, Petaluma, California

Good Vibe - Vibe Gallery Adds to Petaluma Arts Community - The Bohemian

On Instagram: @vibegallerypetaluma
On Facebook: @vibegallerypetaluma