Author’s Update (04/21/2026): I found a publishing company to publish “The Butterfly Spirit: Insights on Death and Dying From a Massage Therapist.”

In The Butterfly Spirit, Gina M. Gafford shares 24 unforgettable stories from her years as a hospice massage therapist. Along the way, she explores spiritual insights, mysterious experiences, and the profound grief of losing her parents. Blending personal stories, Buddhist teachings, and practical wisdom, this book offers gentle guidance for aging well, living fully, and approaching death with greater peace and understanding.

Author’s Update (01/19/2026): I hired an illustrator for my children’s book “Athena’s Meditation Adventure.” I’m excited to complete the book!

The story is inspired by my experiences as a Montessori teacher, where I taught meditation and yoga to preschool children.

It also celebrates Athena—named after my granddaughter, who was born with a limb difference—and honors the resilience, curiosity, and beauty that make all children wonderfully unique. Includes a mandala coloring page.