In October, 2009, I was deeply moved by Maria Shriver’s speech at The Women’s Conference held in Long Beach, California. The mission of the conference was to educate, inspire and empower women to be architects of change. I did not have tickets to the event, but was encouraged by my therapist to try to attend. He knew that I was a big fan of Oprah and had heard that she was going to be a guest speaker. He also told me that Maria was going to be facilitating discussions on grief. I tried making it work, but my schedule didn’t permit, and I wasn’t able to attend.
At that time, it had been 10 months since I lost my 9 family members to a terrible tragedy. I was deep in my grief. My therapist encouraged me to view the video of Maria’s speech and the discussion on grief. Maria spoke candidly about her own personal story of loss. I was inspired by her grace and strength. Just 2 1/2 months before the conference, her mother, Eunice Shriver, passed away, followed by the death her uncle, Senator Ted Kennedy only two weeks later. I felt her pain as she expressed her feelings of sadness. She shared how close she and her mother were and how she missed her so deeply. Everything she seemed to be feeling and going through I was connecting with on a deep level. I was experiencing those same feelings. She opened up about her faith and how drawn she was by the spiritual encounter she had on the day of her mother’s funeral. It was beautiful. I was so inspired by her courage. Watching the video of Maria’s talk was the dose of vitamins I needed to have the strength to share my own personal story and to pursue writing my memoir.
In 2012, my friend Nancy invited me to attend the Special Olympics Pier Del Sol fundraiser hosted by Maria Shriver. She had bought a group of tickets for her friends, but at the last minute was unable to attend. A dear and mutual friend of ours, Janet, called and asked me if my daughter, Katrina, and I would like to go in her place. I immediately said, “Yes!” I had shared with Janet before how moved I was by Maria’s speech at the Women’s Conference, and encouraged her to also watch the video because she, too, had lost her mother. I told Janet that I knew one day I would meet Maria. Well, that day came. I felt God was opening the door for me. Katrina and I first met the group of ladies we were joining. We visited all the delicious restaurant booths and I enjoyed watching Katrina play some of the carnival games. We were having a wonderful time. Then the speeches began. Maria being the host alongside her brother, Bobby Kennedy, spoke about Special Olympics and presented various honorary awards. They are a magical family. Earlier in the day, a mutual friend who knew Maria Shriver had said she would introduce me to her. I didn’t feel comfortable with a forced introduction and honestly I would’ve been a little embarrassed since I didn’t know her friend well. So I prayed and just asked God that if the opportunity came for me to approach Maria, I would. I needed a little courage, so I asked for that, too. After all the speeches were done and awards handed out Maria came down from the platform and began to sign a few autographs. Katrina and I moved as close as we could to get to Maria. Janet stood close with my camera in hand waiting for the right moment. A few people got in front, but she saw we were waiting patiently for our turn. She then looked at us and I asked her if she would mind letting us have a picture with her. I reached for her arm and began to tell her how much I admired her speech at the Women’s Conference in 2009 and how I connected whole-heartedly with how she was feeling. I began to share my story of loss with her. She was in shock to hear what I was saying, as most people are because it’s really unimaginable. I began to cry as I was telling her about how Katrina had been shot and how she was my little miracle. I told her that she inspired me to continue writing my book. I told her I was in the beginning stages of writing it, and that the vision for my book was to give hope and pay tribute to my loved ones. She then asked me if I would write a blog for her website at www.mariashriver.com. I quickly answered, “Yes, it would be an honor.” I couldn’t believe this moment was happening, but then again I could because of my faith; because of our combined faith and efforts to want to help people and inspire. It was a total God thing and I am so thankful for the opportunity God placed in front of me. I am thankful for the opportunity that Maria Shriver has given me to write on her website. She has not only given me the stepping stone to pass hope on to others, but an opportunity to share my voice.
Thank you, Maria, for your wisdom and light.
Leticia
