Three months had passed since I lost my husband Willianm. I was extremely sad. My six-month-old daughter, Sienna, had lost her father before she'd even got to1him. I had no idea how I was going to raise her2. I spent six months hanging out with great3before I knew I had to4. I just had to work out how to start5my life.
Then my mind wandered back to a few years earlier, when I'd6boxing at my local gym. I'd really7the exercise and it had given me something to focus on. So I picked up8and called my old boxing coach, Ken. "I want to get back to the boxing ring(拳击赛场)," I told him.
I was9when I turned up for my first training. But my fears soon died down once I started hitting the pads (软垫). "You've still got it," Ken said10.
As I built my strength over the following months, I felt the weight of the world slowly lifting off my11. I found myself enjoying my time with Sienna more and I really looked forward to seeing my friends at the gym. I'd been12for five months when Ken scheduled my first boxing match.
Jumping around the ring, I felt as though William and Sienna were13me on. I was really excited when I was announced as the14. That encouraged me to study to become a fitness trainer myself.
When I15a job at a Maori health and well-being organization, I wanted to introduce boxing16so I could help others lift their spirits.
17, my classes have been a huge success and I now hold nine classes every week. More than three years have passed since we lost William and I18miss him every day. I often talk to Sienna about him. She'll always know who her father was and how much he19her.
I have no doubt that boxing saved my life and made me a better mother. If teaching other people boxing can help them on their journey from darkness to light, it's well worth the20.
