A Heartfelt Tribute to a Mother and Her Family: Julie’s Journey
In Episode 3 of Change Happened, Then What?, I had the privilege of sharing a story that has stayed with me long after the recording stopped. It’s the story of Julie—a woman with the heart of a warrior and the soul of a mother.
Julie and I met years ago through our shared love of community and wellness. At the time, she was already a mother to two adopted sons and in the process of opening her heart and home to newborn twins. From the outside, she was a powerhouse: a former senior engineer at IBM, a business owner, and a devoted mother. But as with so many beautiful souls, her story ran far deeper than what you see at first glance.
Julie made the courageous leap from a high-powered corporate career to the world of healing and human connection. Her business, Harmony at Last, wasn’t just a name—it was a mission born from a desire to create peace within families and individuals navigating difficult paths. Julie’s journey has been anything but easy. Raising five children, each with their own unique needs and challenges, would be enough to overwhelm most. But she didn’t just survive it—she transformed through it.
In our conversation, Julie opened up about the long road of parenting, therapy, and rediscovery. She spoke candidly about the book The Explosive Child and how it became a guiding light for her during the most turbulent times. And in a moment of deep vulnerability, she shared the truth about her own trauma—and the healing journey she had to take not only as a mother but as a human being. That journey led to a diagnosis of Complex PTSD, and with it, the realization that healing her children would also require healing herself.
Julie is the embodiment of grace in motion. She rediscovered Reiki, not just as something to offer her children, but as a healing touch she could now extend to herself and others. She became a beacon of hope for families walking similar roads, and the energy work she once received is now something she offers with love and intention.
Her marriage, now over 27 years strong, is a testament to commitment and enduring love. Her children, ranging in age from 14 to 24, are thriving in their own beautiful, unique ways. And her business, Harmony at Last, has evolved with her—now offering deeper, more soulful healing work that reflects all the wisdom she’s gained.
When I asked Julie what keeps her smiling every day, it wasn’t a grand achievement or milestone she pointed to. It was the simple joy of listening to her inner wisdom. That quiet, steady voice within that so many of us learn to ignore—she now honors it. And she encourages us to do the same.
Julie’s story is more than just an episode—it’s a love letter to every mother doing the best she can, to every family holding each other through the storms, and to every person discovering that healing is possible, one layer at a time.
If you haven’t listened to her episode yet, I invite you to do so. Let her story wrap around you like a warm blanket, and remind you of the incredible strength that lies in showing up for yourself and the ones you love.
Thank you, Julie, for your honesty, your heart, and your unwavering light.
–Heather Holt