We recently connected with Maribeth Ditmars and have shared our conversation below.

Maribeth, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I never set out purposefully to write my first book. It began as a journal of survival. When our ten-year-old son, Chris, was diagnosed with cancer our family was plunged into the frightening world of pediatric cancer. At first, I used the journal to track medications, specialists’ names, and hospital schedules. Before long, the journal evolved into a narrative where I poured out my heart and recorded the intimate conversations of a little boy fighting for his life.

This journal became my first book, Christopher’s Journey. It spans 4 years from the day of Chris’s diagnosis to the day he joined the ranks in heaven. Those pages are filled with laughter, tears, and the incredible story of a remarkable young man who left behind a legacy of faith.

After Chris’s passing, I felt compelled to share his story. I have since written 2 other books. One for children with cancer, and the most recent, Dancing in the Minefields, One Woman’s Faith Journey through Child Loss, Addiction, and Adversity. Our family suffered an additional tragedy in 2015 when we lost Chris’s brother, Jarrod, in an accident. This has caused me to dive deeper into my faith, and I now have a calling to share hope with others.

My background in teaching makes me a natural communicator and I enjoy speaking and sharing our story. My tagline is “Laughter and tears are only a moment apart, but joy is eternal.”

Maribeth, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

. I present keynotes, workshops, and retreats that empower people to overcome adversity and loss. I am particularly drawn to audiences composed of Christians, but I have also spoken at secular events and nonprofits. I combine Biblical principles, storytelling, and humor in my presentations. I can fill your next event with encouragement.

I spent a number of years raising 3 children( and several dogs) with my husband Rob. I taught school for many years where I developed my passion for communicating. Our world was rocked when we lost our teenage son, Chris, to cancer. Just before his passing, Chris witnessed to us about Jesus and heaven. And just after his passing Chris sent us a miraculous sign!

My first book, Christopher’s Journey, an iUniverse Star Award book, tells his story. At the time of Chris’s passing, I was a nominal Christian and a heavy drinker( not a combination that I would recommend!) I don’t think anyone can lose a child and not be changed. Either you become angry at God, or you draw closer to Him. Because of Chris’s winsome manner and peaceful surrender, I wanted to get to know his God better. My books and my speaking is not a career for me. It is a ministry.

In my most recent book, Dancing in the Minefields, One Woman’s Faith Journey, Through Child-Loss, Addiction, and Adversity, I detail my faith journey through our family’s struggles. These include my personal battle with alcoholism and the sudden death of our other son, Jarrod. I like to tell my audiences that any drunk can write a book, but you have to get sober to get it published.

I am most proud of my 4Rs for Renewing Your Mind program. Based upon Romans 12 it gives practical strategies for gaining an eternal perspective no matter what you are going through. The 4R’s are branded on my website (https://maribethditmars.com/ ) and you can read about them there. One unique aspect of my presentations are my original cartoons which tend to show up in my slides.

I am also proud to be member of Christian Women Speakers. You can find resources and interviews I’ve done at https://www.womenspeakers.com/florida/sarasota/speaker/maribeth-ditmars

For secular audiences, I have several talks including “Three Life Lessons I Learned from My Dying Teenager.” and “Recharge Your Hope for Families Affected by Addiction.”

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Once I was sharing my story to an audience and afterward a woman came up to me with tears in her eyes. “I was seriously thinking of ending it all.” She confided. “I also lost a child to cancer. Now I know if you can get through it I can too.”

This is the most rewarding aspect—making that connection! Isn’t that what painters do when their admirers gaze at their work? I strive to make connections of the heart and soul. When I do that, I make my suffering into something sacred.

As a Christian, I want to connect people to Christ. However, I want to do it in a way that is nonjudgmental and inviting. I do it by making myself vulnerable through my writing and speaking.

Have you ever had to pivot?

During the recession of 2008-2010, we lost a very lucrative business. When the Florida housing market crashed my husband, Rob, went from making 6 figures to zero almost overnight. I thought I was going to help Rob build up a new business, but it didn’t work out the way we had hoped. Combined with the tragic loss of our second son, Jarrod, my husband and I were truly lost.

So we sold everything we owned, bought an RV, and left town. We had lived in our 4-bedroom home for almost 25 years and it was full of “STUFF”. It was hard, but also freeing. Letting go of everything was a little bit like our boys letting go of their lives on earth and embarking upon a new heavenly adventure. So our new home became a 36-foot fifth wheel towed by a Ford Super Duty truck with a ten-foot bed. I named them Harvey the RV and the Green Beast.

We headed for the mountains and spent time in God’s creation. We swam in springs and hiked in the forest. Our dog, Marley, got in touch with her inner wolf. I learned that I really didn’t need all of those clothes and shoes. I learned the value of duct tape when our septic hose sprung a leak.

Eventually, we ended up back in Florida when Rob began to struggle with health issues. We have since sold the RV and settled back in Sarasota to be near our daughter and grandkids. I will always cherish the sweet time of healing that I had in forest. It has taught us to live with less “STUFF” and more gratitude.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://maribethditmars.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maribethditmars
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maribethditmars
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/maribeth-ditmars-
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaribethDitmars
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyvmQ5_aoG6JpnfaXNfsIvA
• Other: https://www.womenspeakers.com/florida/sarasota/speaker/maribeth-ditmars