An eleven year old Mackenzie fights to maintain a sense of normalcy after her Mother, Renee, has a personality altering stroke. Due to the lack of mental health awareness back in the 80s and 90s in Middle America, Mackenzie's father didn't get immediate medical attention. Mackenzie also didn't have the inherited wherewithal to call 911 at the first sign of psychosis. Instead of taking Renee to see a neurologist after exhibiting possessed like behavior, the family tries to pray the symptoms away. This created an unpredictable environment for the entire family.

The gravity and ripple effect of the mental state of a family member is widespread, long lasting, and irreparable. This book follows Mackenzie on her journey to young adulthood finding stability in the chaos and showing just how resilient human beings are. We normalize the abnormal. That became Mackenzie's baseline. Through it all, she still finds the whimsy of childhood and uses her imagination to cope. Mentors can be mothers, community can save lives.

This book invites the listener to understand the complexities of the brain, encourages science and proper medical care, and shines light that mental illness effects many and you are not alone if you have ever felt the ripple effect. It's no one's fault, but the magnitude of the aftermath clean-up seems never-ending and is no small feat. It effects attachment styles, self esteem, the relationships you attract, and one's ability to take up space in the future. After being away from the eye of the storm of such an unpredictable environment, one must learn to rewire their brain on a multitude of levels and re-regulate their nervous system. It can be done, there is hope! We have to name it to tame it.

Here, Alone, Together was written in hopes to open a gentle dialogue on the importance of mental wellness and the ripple effect it has on the entire family and community, not just the afflicted, who is also suffering.