This is when I realized that I never took the time to ask questions and to truly get to know him.  His fabulous military past went with him. He had been the President and CEO of Pyrotecter Company ( Maker of Smoke Detectors) in Hingham, MA.  He belonged to the Veterns Affair, Lion's Club and other organizations. So, I decided to write a book to leave for the family and to my future generations. Until this time, I never had any desire to become an author.

A Healing Heart is a memoir for people of all faith. It has many lessons in it for us to learn about taking the time to listen to our loved ones. We were just an ordinary family coming to terms with life and death with the wonderful help of Hospice.

Because of miracles that entered my life after my father passed, I took a pilgrimage in 1998 to Medjugore; a small, remote village in Bosnia.  Since 1981, and to this date, Our Lady has been appearing to six visionaries giving each ten secrets to be pasted to the world when all have received them.  There are only two visionaries left to receive one secret.

On my return, I wanted to blend my trip into A Healing Heart since my father wanted to go but his health had stopped him. A Healing Heart is an emotional, and powerful moving story.

After the publication of my book, I started another memoir, Someone Stop This Merry-Go-Round; An Alcoholic Family in Crisis.  It's my life living with and losing my husband, Richie Lopes of North Dighton, MA in 1985, at age 45 years old from alcoholism. It's a family disease and no one comes out winning. It was published June 19, 2009 by Infinity Publishing. It's available autographed on my site www.albertasequeira.com.

On November 22, 2006, I was thrown into heatbreak when my precious daughter, Lori Cahill of North Dighton, MA, passed away at 39 years old from the same killer. I completing the sequel, Please, God, Not Two; This Killer Called Alcoholism. I'm hoping to have it out by the end of 2009.

Because of losing two loved ones from this demon, I've started giving speaking engagements in public and private on this illness. 

When my book is published, I hope to visit schools starting with the elementary grades up to colleges, businesses, substance abuse locations and rehabilitation centers. I will visit any organization or businesses that will allow me to speak about what I would change with helping the abuser.

I also instruct Writer's Workshops, called "Bring Your Manuscript to Publication." I talk about taking your idea for a story, to starting it, the editing stages, books to buy to save on price, what to be aware of, agents, publishers, publishing, promoting and marketing the book. It is not a class on "How to Write." It's getting your story out there to get published.

In 2009, I hope to open the doors with speaking about alcoholism and helping not only the families, but the abusers themselves.  Anyone who wants me to speak can contact me at alberta@ahealingheart.net. Visit my website at www.albertasequeira.com.