Who Am I?
Everything changed in 65 Days
This is my husband, Geoffrey Colin Hayball. He was a larger than life husband, father, son, brother & friend. We were dealt a terrible hand the day Geoff was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
If courage, grace & humility were cancer's kryptonite, he would be alive today.
Instead, we are missing him like crazy, making attempts to mend the massive tear in the fabric of our universe & finding ways to keep him alive in the world.
Geoff died, but my love sure didn't.
Figuring out how to love someone who had to leave is tricky work...but not impossible.
I am a 27 year veteran teacher
- In a profession offering few accolades, I am both a California Teacher of the Year Finalist & California IB Teacher of the Year.
- I devoted my heart & soul to teaching, but when I was widowed, I had drastically diminished energy. I couldn't pour myself into teaching like I used to, & I wasn't willing to settle. So I set it down.
- In grief coaching, I use my expertise to guide solo-parents through what I consider the toughest part...raising sons & daughters with an absent mom or dad forever.
- Children are hugely impacted by their grief for much longer than we imagine. Most schools will continue- business as usual. I empower widows with support & expertise to effectively communicate with teachers & administrators- constructing a valuable acacemic & emotional safety net during such a fragile time.
- There are some important truths I discovered in grief I wish I could share with all teachers. You can read it by clicking below.
I Know Layered Grief
Within the first year of Geoff's death, my healthy, vibrant dad was diagnosed with Glioblastoma. If you know anything about cancer, it's one of the worst...nearly unsurvivable.
My family had been sucker-punched twice by two of the worst cancers out there.
4 months later, my dad joined Geoff in Heaven. I couldn't make sense of any of it. I felt like I was completely adrift, nothing secure to anchor to.
Yet...time marched on & I found ways to hope again.
My Heart Expanded
Love after loss has been the most miraculous plot twist. I can't explain how I deserve two great loves in my life, but I'm grateful everyday I healed enough to accept this miracle.
Geoff Hayball & Jeff Heald
They share the same first name, and I do not believe my new last name is a mere coincidence. I am now Ashley Hayball-Heald (pronounced "healed"). My name now includes my best- and most grueling- work.