We recently connected with Abigaile Maberry and have shared our conversation below.
Abigaile, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.
There have been several defining moments for me in what we do. Moments in time that become a before and an after. Things that cause me to take the unmarked trail instead of the well traveled path. Life is funny that way. It usually shows us exactly where we need to pivot, if our hearts are open and we pay attention. Light Work 316, Inc started because of a beautiful night I organized for a little boy named Isaac Juarez. Isaac had a diagnosis of Medulloblastoma from the age of three. When we stepped into Isaac’s life he was fighting that diagnosis for the 2nd time. We were so blessed to be part of Isaac’s family for about a year when his diagnosis became terminal. During that year, we had begun also connecting with other families in our community fighting huge battles with medical diagnosis of multiple types. All major, all life altering, all too big to fight alone. I was feeling this huge push to DO something to ease the burden of these battles but I just didn’t know what or how. When Isaac’s diagnosis became terminal I was determined to give his family the ability to do exactly what the doctors had told them to- enjoy their time left together. I called local businesses, asked for tickets to local attractions, asked for our local Army recruiters to come grant 7 year old Isaac’s wish to become “a soldier”, rented an entire theater to watch Toy Story 4, and got Mirales Party Ice on board to make it snow-another dream of Isaac’s. As I asked for support to make that night happen, I watched people from all walks of life willing go all in to create magic for a little boy they’d never met. That night was perfection. Nothing I did or could have done made it so incredibly perfect- it was just God’s grace and the love of an entire town! I was overwhelmed with gratitude for what, at the time, was supposed to be a single event. When it was time to show Isaac the snow, our local PD, SWAT, and Game Wardens were waiting outside. As Isaac was walking out of the theater, the lights of the police cars were creating what looked like Christmas lights(even though it was July), Mireles had created a 20×20 field of snow- deep enough to play in and we’d gotten 400 snowballs from Bahama Bucks to really make it something amazing, Isaac was surrounded by the soilders who had come to make his dream come true. I watched him cross the street to his field of snow with this look of absolute awe on his face. I can still picture those moments so clearly in my mind. As I watched Isaac and his family be the first ones to step on the snow, it was like time stopped and I knew that this was exactly what I was meant to do. It was a defining moment for not only a career choice but for my life.
Isaac won his battle on December 16, 2019 and almost immediately our 2nd Light Work 316, Inc. superhero Will Birdsell received the same diagnosis due to Osteosarcoma, and once again I knew something had to be done to give his family the time they needed to make as many memories as they could to last them for the time they were going to spend apart. Just like with Isaac, I was overwhelmed with the willingness of people to jump in when they were asked. I realized that most people are not only willing to help but they are searching for the opportunity. They simply need the direction. When Will won his battle on May 3, 2020, I was so honored to be allowed into his home to be part of that night. Being there changed everything I ever thought I knew about death and strengthened my faith in a way that I don’t believe anything else could have. My entire life changed again because of the gift of being there that night with Will and his family. When Abby Owens, another one of our “original” kids won her battle, and then Sam, and then Silas, it became evident that we were not only going to be part of planning fun and exciting events or activities for our families. I was going to be part of something I never saw myself doing, planning and facilitating celebrations of life for our strongest warriors- both children and parents. After the third celebration of life I was honored to be part of, one of our Light Work 316, Inc. moms, who had also become a good friend asked me when I was going to become a counselor. Unknown to anyone at that point, I had been researching programs to become a certified grief coach. Her question was another defining moment in my life and in the creation of another branch of Light Work 316, Inc.
I completed my IOPGC & ICF certification this year and Point of Light: Grief, Loss, & Life Coaching and Education Services was born. I’m so honored to be working in this space. My heart is open, for what I’m sure will be many more pivotal moments in the future that continue to put me exactly where I belong.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers. **Please also share with us more of what services you offer and what you are the most proud of in what you do.
Hi! It’s nice to meet you. My name is Abigaile Maberry, although most people call me, Abbie. I have been married to my best friend, Bill, for almost 27 years. I’m the proud mom to 2 amazing girls, mother in law and god mother to 2 awesome men that I’m proud to claim as my own, and a Mammaw to the cutest 1 year old on the planet. Simply put I’m a wife and a mom first. My family is my greatest joy and my most treasured accomplishment. I’ve been fighting cancer and all it brings with it for a few years myself…actually, as any family who faces the big “C” knows, we’ve all been fighting it together. We are a team and my team has been right next to me through it all. Hell and high water, LOVE and laughter. I know I can count on them at each new battle. They don’t stop there though, they jump all in to each one of my next ideas, crazy plans, and big dreams. I’m so grateful for their support of each of my interests, which include being Mayor Pro-tem of our town, a published Children’s author of the books More Than All The Stars That Glow and If We Were Butterflies, the CEO of registered 501c3 Light Work 316, Inc., and the owner of Point of Light: Grief, Loss, and Life Coaching & Education Services. Our lives have taken us on quite a ride in the last few years. 5 years ago if you had given me a glimpse of what was to come, I would have laughed at you and told you that you had the wrong momma! I was not comfortable talking about illness, loss, or grief. I don’t think many of us are. When Light Work 316, Inc. became an official 501c3, I believed we would be able to focus on having fun with our families and that the losses we had already seen would be few and far between. And while it is true that we get to be part of some of the greatest days full of joy and laughter and fantastic memories made. It became quickly apparent that in the work I felt led to do, there was going to be a need I was also led to help fill. Grief comes into all of our lives in some form or fashion, usually multiple times. It comes with changes we aren’t ready for, ending relationships, or physical loss of a person or animal we love. It comes for our “Light” families with life altering diagnosis, with fighting or watching their loved one fight a battle they can not change, and heartbreakingly for some of them- grief comes from the earthly loss of a parent or a child. Light Work 316, Inc.’s intent and mission is to walk with our families from diagnosis to healing…sometimes that healing comes after this life for the one fighting. Realizing that meant I needed the skills and training to walk that road too. In Light Work 316, Inc.’s projects I am blessed with a fantastic team. People who donate, who help volunteer at events, and who are always up for a challenge and some hard work. When a battle is won differently than we hope or one of our people reaches out because the battle is too heavy, I step in to walk that part of the path with our families alone. I am humbly grateful to be allowed into such sacred spaces and I will stay with our families or a client for as long as I need to. Point of Light has become an extension of the services Light Work 316, Inc. can offer. It has, in truth become another extension of my life and heart. When dealing with the loss of life specifically, I use a model that focuses on coming to a place of gratitude for the gift of time we had with the life that we grieve. We process the many faces of grief together and work to remember that grief is totally normal when our hearts break in this life. We focus on embracing the lessons our loved one gifted us, honoring their legacy and continuing it through intertwining old transitions with new. I use several different modalities that are customizable to each persons needs. Art, journaling, action plans, and guided meditation are all ways that emotion can be expressed and those avenues can help it all be much less scary or anxiety producing to process. I stay with our families or a client that comes to me for as long as needed to come to a place of peace and gratitude. Weekly Zoom calls, coffee dates, meetings in my office or their homes are all part of what this new chapter has brought. I’ve also been so grateful to be asked to speak on this subject for the Reimagine Festival and at Texas A&M during the Texas 4-H State Round-up, as well as several smaller gatherings. I’ve come to realize in this line of work that grief education is so needed in our world. Especially since Covid, it seems we are all grieving something but by and large we are also avoiding what we feel are the hardest conversations. The truth is, when we can unwrap the fear surrounding sorrow, it becomes a manageable topic. Just like with the needs of Light Work 316, Inc., friends and family of people who are grieving want to help. Many times we just lack the skill or knowledge to do so, and so we avoid the topic besides a few common phrases at a funeral or in response to a Facebook post. One of the things I’m most proud of in Point of Light’s Grief Education is that I am able to share the lessons I’ve learned about what people really need in the hardest moments life brings, and in turn, the people learning can share with their circles. In that way the legacies of the lives my clients mourn continue and their lives are remembered every time someone is helped. Legacy has very little to do with the amount of time a person spends on earth and much more to do with how that time is spend and what we do with the lessons each life brings to ours. The truth is, we are all capable of changing the world for at least one person. Even in the darkest night, the smallest star can guide us home. When we step in to help on people’s worst days, we become one of those points of light. My hope is that I’m able to share that message with as many people as I can in the time I’m gifted here.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I feel like I’ve relearned so many things from a different perspective in the last several years. I think we usually tend to see things through a lens that’s colored by our own unique life experience and stepping into other peoples lives in their hardest moments has really made me get to know myself, my faith, and my expectations in a much more grace filled view. Things of true value are very rarely found on a shelf and in the end what really matters is how many times we took the opportunity to love our family and help our neighbors. BUT even knowing that, there are definitely some societal expectations that can be really difficult to live up to. For me one thing that I have “unlearned” in a sense, is the idea of “Work/Life Balance”. We are all told, especially in recent years that we have to maintain this kind of razors edge balance between too much work and not enough life or too much life and not enough work. It can be spectacularly stressful when you’re trying to manage the building of a business (or 2 or 3) and life as a mom or dad, a spouse, a friend, etc, with that blaring in your mind. If we ignore our business (work) demands too much, it may fail- and our family finances may suffer OR if we bring our work home too often, our kids and significant other are going to feel neglected and the family suffers as a whole. And forget trying to add friends in that mix. There isn’t enough time in the day to check all the boxes in this tedious balance. It truly was a losing battle until I realized- there is no perfect balance and it’s really ALL life! Some days are going to be full of so much work that you barely have time to do much more than run through the drive through, listen to recaptured days while we inhale our French fries , and kiss our kids and honey good night while we keep working. Other days will be full of family or reconnecting with your tribe completely or at least mostly unplugged. Both of those are ok because in fact, it’s ALL the story you’re writing and the legacy you’re building. I want our kids to know that when something sparks their heart and sets their soul on fire; when they are called to DO something to make this world better; that there isn’t a division in where they end and that begins. I want them to know they can count on me to share our time together building on that dream or mission. Our family is closer than ever because each person is included in each aspect of what Light Work 316, Inc. is going to do. They know I need their input on plans, presentations, ideas, or even things like this interview. And better than anyone, they know when I need their hugs after a particularly hard coaching session, even when they don’t know the details. Understanding that it’s all part of life, has led us to share dreams and hopes and sorrows and problems in each of our respective businesses and passions and has led to us building better solutions together instead of trying to balance things apart. Mountains are easier to climb when you have someone to help you see the best route…the same holds true in life and business. Involving your family and friends in building what you love, and allowing them to share part of their lives in every aspect of our own (and returning the favor) is the real path to success in all of it.
If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?
Absolutely! Working <living> in this space, I honestly can’t imagine doing any thing else. It’s so totally different from what I ever knew or what I ever thought I was capable of. But even in the hardest moments, it feels like I was created to be right here. I am so grateful that God placed me and continues to place me in the path of the incredible families I get to work with. I don’t know what I did to be this blessed but I’m thankful every day that I get to work with and do life with, the families of Light Work 316, Inc. and Point of Light: Grief, Loss, and Life Coaching.
**For those reading locally, we’d love to have you join our efforts to help local families on December 3, 2022 at Stars & Stripes Drive-in. Light Work 316, Inc. is holding our 3rd Annual Let Your Little CHRISTMAS Lights Shine FUNdraiser. It’s a night full of fun and celebration of the season. One ticket gets everyone in your vehicle in the gates and access to all the activities included in the night! Gates open at 5pm and the movie ELF starts at 7:15. Tickets are available at this link:
https://ticketbud.com/events/
Thank you so much for allowing me to share my heart with you! If your family needs assistance or you hear of a local family facing a major medical challenge, please reach out! I hope you have a blessed season and upcoming year!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.facebook.com/LightWork316Inc
- Instagram: light_work_316_inc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pointoflightcoachingservices
Image Credits
Abbie Maberry and Taylor Jonas