Author’s Update (04/21/2026): I found a potential publishing company to publish “The Butterfly Spirit: Wisdom from a Hospice Massage Therapist.”

In The Butterfly Spirit, Gina M. Gafford shares 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!

Author’s Update (07/19/2026): The illustrations for “Athena’s Meditation Adventure” will be done by the end of August. I hope to have my book published by November 2026.

Meditation doesn’t have to mean sitting perfectly still. In Athena’s Meditation Adventure, children explore mindfulness through imagination, movement, and animal friends.

Inspired by author Gina M. Gafford’s experiences as a Montessori teacher, where she taught meditation and yoga to preschool children, this heartwarming story celebrates Athena—named after the author’s granddaughter, who was born with a limb difference. It honors the resilience, curiosity, and beauty that make all children wonderfully unique.

Includes a mandala coloring page.