Can four words change a life? On a rainy autumn day, four words changed the life of a young cardiology nurse. Four little words hurled across a dimly lit exam room struck fear in a mother’s heart. “You are legally blind.” Anita’s journey through blindness began with the devastating diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa, an untreatable, degenerative retinal disease. At the age of 33, she was forced to face not only vision loss, but also the loss of driving, her nursing career, and even her independence. Anita was convinced that life was over. She couldn’t see it then, but God had a good plan to bring hope and a future.

Hard things happen in this life. Still, there is hope beyond hurt; there is life beyond loss. Anita forged a full life despite the tragedy of encroaching blindness. Her compelling story is a powerful testimony of how faith, hope, and love can conquer adversity. This heartwarming, inspirational memoir about Anita’s journey through blindness reveals a resounding truth that will bring comfort to anyone struggling with grief and loss. “No matter what hard roads we travel, God walks by our side. When we place our trust in Him, God can, and He will, make our rough places smooth.”

Anita Peden Sherer is a wife, mother, and retired cardiology nurse with a passion for storytelling that spans the genres of memoir, poetry, and devotions. During her 32 years of nursing practice, Anita served in critical care, telemetry, cardiac rehabilitation, and community wellness. As an educator, consultant, and nurse researcher, she published two nursing books, numerous journal and newspaper articles, and presented nursing content at the local, regional and national level. Since her retirement, Anita has embraced gardening, travel, and volunteer work, while continuing her passion for speaking and writing. Visit her blog at faithbeyondsight.com to sample her Monday Motivations and weekly faith-inspired messages.