In December 2012, the unthinkable happened for Scarlett Lewis. Her beautiful six-year-old boy, Jesse, was murdered along with 25 classmates and teachers at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. Scarlett could have easily gone down the path of blame, anger and hate, but instead she chose love and forgiveness. Inspired by the last words that Jesse wrote (‘nurturing, healing, love’) she founded the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement.

“Nurturing means loving kindness and gratitude. Healing literally means forgiveness, and love is compassion in action. And when you have the courage to practice those three character values in that order….You’re choosing love.”

She’s gone on to study the healing effects of forgiveness and says it’s been the most profound healing force in her life. Scarlett believes that we all have the strength and courage to love and forgive in the face of terror and fear.

“It’s the courage to tell the truth, it’s the courage to show up and be present, it’s the courage to have courageous conversations. There’s so many ways in our life that we can show courage and we have it, we just need to acknowledge ourselves as courageous human beings.”

Listen to Scarlett Lewis’ truly inspiring journey to love and forgiveness here.

About Our Guests:

Scarlett Lewis is the founder and President of the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement, and the author of ‘Nurturing Healing Love: A Mother’s Journey of Hope and Forgiveness’.