Unfolding Short Stories: "You’re going to go climb Mount Kilimanjaro and raise awareness." Averil Shadd
In the Bible, mountaintops symbolize moments of spiritual clarity, renewal, and connection with God. For Averil Shadd, a new widow navigating the profound grief of her darkest valley, the mountaintop became more than a metaphor. She climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, not just to find healing but to offer hope to others walking through the shadows of loss. As Averil explains, "I wanted to do something that would stretch me so far that I would embrace suffering, so they would know someone could see them and love them." In this episode, she shares how her faith and determination turned her despair into a mission of love and purpose.
Note: Averil first shared her story on the podcast A Widow’s Heart, hosted by Pam Lundell (Episode 32).