Elisabeth "Elli" G.’s Post

Sharing some sad news. On Saturday, June 1, my wife Sarah Mandel died after a nearly 7-year battle with cancer. She was just 42, with so much more to give. She was such an inspiration to me and so many others that I feel compelled to write about her here. While Sarah initially pursued a career in the arts, she found her true calling in helping people navigate mental health challenges. As a clinical psychologist with a Doctorate degree, she helped patients with depression and anxiety, with a particular focus on maternal mental health. Then, at age 36 – and while pregnant with our second child - she was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer, which changed everything. But she never stopped wanting to be a positive force for others. In the years that followed her diagnosis, she wrote her memoir, entitled "Little Earthquakes" (published by HarperCollins), which has helped many readers heal from traumas in their own lives. And in a classic Sarah move, she saved a great surprise for the end. Without telling anyone it was coming she had a moving personal video posted on social media after her death that has already received over 1 million views and touched the hearts of so many. Beyond all this, what will forever inspire me was Sarah’s positive spirit. Being kind and loving was just a way of life for her. She was the type of person who would even make friends on the phone with a cable company’s customer service. Every interaction carried warmth and love. Her sparkle and smile were contagious. I learned so much from her over our 22 years together and from what I can only describe as the Tao of Sarah. Choosing to be kind, when faced with the alternative. Remembering to smile. Sharing your story. Being open. Saying hi and chatting to strangers. Loving the life we’ve got and making the most of every day.  Being undaunted by challenges. Finding ways to slow down and be at peace. And knowing friends and family are everything. And to not forget to eat well, love art, plant trees, and always go in the water. I can think of no better way to honor Sarah than to take a moment today to appreciate life. Stop and smell the flowers. Be nice to a random person. Do something unusually kind. And smile and laugh with those you love most.

Sharing some sad news. On Saturday, June 1, my wife Sarah Mandel died after a nearly 7-year battle with cancer. She was just 42, with so much more to give. She was such an inspiration to me and so many others that I feel compelled to write about her here. While Sarah initially pursued a career in the arts, she found her true calling in helping people navigate mental health challenges. As a clinical psychologist with a Doctorate degree, she helped patients with depression and anxiety, with a particular focus on maternal mental health. Then, at age 36 – and while pregnant with our second child - she was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer, which changed everything. But she never stopped wanting to be a positive force for others. In the years that followed her diagnosis, she wrote her memoir, entitled "Little Earthquakes" (published by HarperCollins), which has helped many readers heal from traumas in their own lives. And in a classic Sarah move, she saved a great surprise for the end. Without telling anyone it was coming she had a moving personal video posted on social media after her death that has already received over 1 million views and touched the hearts of so many. Beyond all this, what will forever inspire me was Sarah’s positive spirit. Being kind and loving was just a way of life for her. She was the type of person who would even make friends on the phone with a cable company’s customer service. Every interaction carried warmth and love. Her sparkle and smile were contagious. I learned so much from her over our 22 years together and from what I can only describe as the Tao of Sarah. Choosing to be kind, when faced with the alternative. Remembering to smile. Sharing your story. Being open. Saying hi and chatting to strangers. Loving the life we’ve got and making the most of every day.  Being undaunted by challenges. Finding ways to slow down and be at peace. And knowing friends and family are everything. And to not forget to eat well, love art, plant trees, and always go in the water. I can think of no better way to honor Sarah than to take a moment today to appreciate life. Stop and smell the flowers. Be nice to a random person. Do something unusually kind. And smile and laugh with those you love most.

Sharing some sad news. On Saturday, June 1, my wife Sarah Mandel died after a nearly 7-year battle with cancer. She was just 42, with so much more to give. She was such an inspiration to me and so many others that I feel compelled to write about her here. While Sarah initially pursued a career in the arts, she found her true calling in helping people navigate mental health challenges. As a clinical psychologist with a Doctorate degree, she helped patients with depression and anxiety, with a particular focus on maternal mental health. Then, at age 36 – and while pregnant with our second child - she was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer, which changed everything. But she never stopped wanting to be a positive force for others. In the years that followed her diagnosis, she wrote her memoir, entitled "Little Earthquakes" (published by HarperCollins), which has helped many readers heal from traumas in their own lives. And in a classic Sarah move, she saved a great surprise for the end. Without telling anyone it was coming she had a moving personal video posted on social media after her death that has already received over 1 million views and touched the hearts of so many. Beyond all this, what will forever inspire me was Sarah’s positive spirit. Being kind and loving was just a way of life for her. She was the type of person who would even make friends on the phone with a cable company’s customer service. Every interaction carried warmth and love. Her sparkle and smile were contagious. I learned so much from her over our 22 years together and from what I can only describe as the Tao of Sarah. Choosing to be kind, when faced with the alternative. Remembering to smile. Sharing your story. Being open. Saying hi and chatting to strangers. Loving the life we’ve got and making the most of every day.  Being undaunted by challenges. Finding ways to slow down and be at peace. And knowing friends and family are everything. And to not forget to eat well, love art, plant trees, and always go in the water. I can think of no better way to honor Sarah than to take a moment today to appreciate life. Stop and smell the flowers. Be nice to a random person. Do something unusually kind. And smile and laugh with those you love most.

Sharing some sad news. On Saturday, June 1, my wife Sarah Mandel died after a nearly 7-year battle with cancer. She was just 42, with so much more to give. She was such an inspiration to me and so many others that I feel compelled to write about her here. While Sarah initially pursued a career in the arts, she found her true calling in helping people navigate mental health challenges. As a clinical psychologist with a Doctorate degree, she helped patients with depression and anxiety, with a particular focus on maternal mental health. Then, at age 36 – and while pregnant with our second child - she was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer, which changed everything. But she never stopped wanting to be a positive force for others. In the years that followed her diagnosis, she wrote her memoir, entitled "Little Earthquakes" (published by HarperCollins), which has helped many readers heal from traumas in their own lives. And in a classic Sarah move, she saved a great surprise for the end. Without telling anyone it was coming she had a moving personal video posted on social media after her death that has already received over 1 million views and touched the hearts of so many. Beyond all this, what will forever inspire me was Sarah’s positive spirit. Being kind and loving was just a way of life for her. She was the type of person who would even make friends on the phone with a cable company’s customer service. Every interaction carried warmth and love. Her sparkle and smile were contagious. I learned so much from her over our 22 years together and from what I can only describe as the Tao of Sarah. Choosing to be kind, when faced with the alternative. Remembering to smile. Sharing your story. Being open. Saying hi and chatting to strangers. Loving the life we’ve got and making the most of every day.  Being undaunted by challenges. Finding ways to slow down and be at peace. And knowing friends and family are everything. And to not forget to eat well, love art, plant trees, and always go in the water. I can think of no better way to honor Sarah than to take a moment today to appreciate life. Stop and smell the flowers. Be nice to a random person. Do something unusually kind. And smile and laugh with those you love most.

Sharing some sad news. On Saturday, June 1, my wife Sarah Mandel died after a nearly 7-year battle with cancer. She was just 42, with so much more to give. She was such an inspiration to me and so many others that I feel compelled to write about her here. While Sarah initially pursued a career in the arts, she found her true calling in helping people navigate mental health challenges. As a clinical psychologist with a Doctorate degree, she helped patients with depression and anxiety, with a particular focus on maternal mental health. Then, at age 36 – and while pregnant with our second child - she was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer, which changed everything. But she never stopped wanting to be a positive force for others. In the years that followed her diagnosis, she wrote her memoir, entitled "Little Earthquakes" (published by HarperCollins), which has helped many readers heal from traumas in their own lives. And in a classic Sarah move, she saved a great surprise for the end. Without telling anyone it was coming she had a moving personal video posted on social media after her death that has already received over 1 million views and touched the hearts of so many. Beyond all this, what will forever inspire me was Sarah’s positive spirit. Being kind and loving was just a way of life for her. She was the type of person who would even make friends on the phone with a cable company’s customer service. Every interaction carried warmth and love. Her sparkle and smile were contagious. I learned so much from her over our 22 years together and from what I can only describe as the Tao of Sarah. Choosing to be kind, when faced with the alternative. Remembering to smile. Sharing your story. Being open. Saying hi and chatting to strangers. Loving the life we’ve got and making the most of every day.  Being undaunted by challenges. Finding ways to slow down and be at peace. And knowing friends and family are everything. And to not forget to eat well, love art, plant trees, and always go in the water. I can think of no better way to honor Sarah than to take a moment today to appreciate life. Stop and smell the flowers. Be nice to a random person. Do something unusually kind. And smile and laugh with those you love most.