After losing her mother to cancer at a young age, Gemini gained deep and personal insights into grief, love and loss. Hoping to expand her expertise she began interviewing experts in these fields, while training with CRUSE – the UK’s leading Bereavement Care organization, and practising with the National Federation of Spiritual Healers (NFSH).
It was this knowledge combined with a desire to help reduce suffering in others that inspired her to write this guide A Legacy of Love: Realizing the Gift in Goodbye.
Gemini is a recognized expert on love and loss, sharing her wisdom through articles, books and workshops, she contributes to Memory-Of.com, and is an expert panelist for Yahoo.com and also writes writes a blog aimed at helping readers discover How to Live in Love.
Gemini hosts group workshops, both in her birthplace, the United Kingdom and America where she now resides and offers one-to-one support to families and individuals who need assistance in preparing for, or overcoming a loss. She also provides consultancy to organizations wishing to advise their clients on How to Realize the Gift in Goodbye.
In 2006 Gemini was presented with the prestigious Winston Churchill Fellowship Award by the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust who subsequently provided a grant to further her research. Over a three-month period, Gemini explored ‘The Role of Love in Palliative Care’, visiting and interviewing directors of leading hospices, palliative care and bereavement organizations across the United States. This research has provided valuable insights for her next book, which will investigate how our experience of loss is directly impacted by the way in which we source our love.
During 2007 Gemini produced a short documentary, together with The Sacred Dying Foundation. The film entitled ‘Legacy of Love’ won ‘Audience Award for Best Documentary’ at the Elevate Film Festival, Los Angeles. The film illustrates the power of creating a loving legacy, following Tony Cornellier, a 67-year old man dying from cancer as he prepares fully for his departure, leaving family and friends with a gift they can treasure forever.
Gemini was just twenty-one when her mother Andrea Adams, who was a recognised British journalist, died from cancer. It was this early loss, which provided her insight into bereavement and the ideas behind A Legacy of Love. Gemini believes that her mother was exactly the kind of person who, had it have been available, would have followed such advice.
“Mum was very dynamic and creative. She also wanted the best for us. Had she known what to do, she would have taken the necessary action to create such a legacy. But no-one suggested anything like this to her at the time. I know that these gifts would have helped me, especially in the really difficult times. They would definitely have made me feel stronger and would have eased the pain.”
Over the years, Gemini frequently reflected on the lack of advice regarding grief that she had received prior to her mother’s death. She also wished for something to re-connect her with her mothers love, especially at birthdays and celebrations, otherwise joyous occasions that had become ‘Lonely Landmarks’.
She yearned for a reminder, a record, something to show how much her mother had cared. During the more difficult periods she longed for ‘Good Guidance’, her mother’s feminine wisdom, advice to help her make better choices as she matured.
Wondering if this was solely her experience, or something others shared Gemini conducted an online poll asking participants what they would prefer to inherit in the event of a relative’s death. Over 90% chose a loving letter over money or material goods.
In the absence of parents Gemini believes that A Legacy of Love, especially the idea of Good Guidance, will help children, and young adults to increase self-esteem and develop into healthy and happy adults.
This book comprises much of Gemini's personal experience combined with advice from bereavement, care and medical professionals. Her intention for this work is to dissolve the silence surrounding the taboo of death, and to help individuals find the true beauty, peace and ongoing love that can exist during and beyond times of loss.
