An Odyssey Of Love, In Pink

“My love for you is a journey, starting at forever and ending at never.”

To break in this new year, I wanted to release this extra special interview that shook my heart to its core and filled me with immense grief and sadness but also love and gratitude. Alison Miller’s incredible story will be one that transcends time; her enigmatic force draws you in with open arms and holds you close. This is Alison’s Hard Beautiful Journey.

The goddess of grief and love, as some have nicknamed her, was living in Massachusetts during her first marriage to an abusive, alcoholic husband. She gathered the courage to leave the marriage and took her three children with her to New Jersey to live with her mom. It was in this neighborhood where she would meet her future husband, Chuck. During this time, Chuck was in a bad marriage, which drove him to alcoholism, as did with Alison in her marriage. Together they committed to AA, got sober, and stayed sober. Throughout this time, Chuck spoiled Alison with kind gestures and good conversation that ultimately formed a deep love and led to marriage. 

“That was the day I started realizing that this wasn’t just some nice guy, this was a guy with some heart and soul.”

With just three weeks until Chuck retired from the military, he proposed the idea of going out on the road with Alison. Without a second thought, Alison agreed, and that same night they put their house on the market. In 2009 they hit the road, and by 2013, they had explored all of the lower 48 states and visited every national park.

One sudden day, Chuck noticed a bump under his skin that formed into a malignant tumor, but it was nothing radiation couldn’t fix. Months later, it returned with a vengeance filling his lung and snapping a rib. The doctor gave him three weeks to live, and Alison’s title of widow would be hers to claim.

Just like every flower must grow through dirt, Alison’s resurgence was no different. She continued to live a life of adventure, bringing Chuck’s ashes with her and spreading them in his favorite spots. Enter the pink car – Alison’s travel tribute to love. She collected names of people throughout the world who wanted to share a piece of their love – through this came the idea for her documentary titled An Odyssey of Love in Pink, a tribute to Chuck and the legacy of love he left behind. 

“‘…I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but I see that you are surrounded by so many angels that I can’t even count them. Whatever you’re doing you need to keep doing it – keep going, you are protected.’ “

Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Prelude 

[00:05:33] Introduction to Alison Miller

[00:10:24] The goddess of grief and love

[00:12:44] Meeting Chuck

[00:14:19] Going to AA together

[00:17:33] Confession of love

[00:21:18] Merging of the two families

[00:24:01] Going on the road

[00:30:31] Modeling a healthy, loving relationship

[00:32:31] Diagnosis of cancer 

[00:36:21] The Dad’s Going To Be Okay tour

[00:39:21] Chuck’s emergency hospital visiting

[00:41:08] Three weeks to live

[00:44:24] Starting an odyssey of love

[00:47:11] New car and painting it pink  

[00:49:54] Starting writing 

[00:51:51] Reaction from people form the pink rig 

[00:54:45] Revealing post dramatic stress

[00:57:40] Creating community through vulnerability

[01:00:00] A travel tribute to love

[01:03:50] An Odyssey of Love in Pink 

[01:09:24] Surrounded by angels

[01:12:39] Expressing gratitude  

[01:20:40] Connect with Alison 

Connect with Alison

• Facebook: Happy Homeless 
• Blog: An Odyssey of Love
• Watch the trailer: An Odyssey of Love in Pink

Enjoying the Hard Beautiful Journey podcast?

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Thanks for listening,

Tiff