October 23, 2020
This podcast episode is a conversation with Renee Dent, a current resident in the United Arab Emirates. It is also the longest podcast as of yet, but l wanted to hear her story, and l think it is a very inspiring story and l find it courageous that she is able to help others. She shares both the good and bad of life after being forced to flee the states when an increasingly violent stalker fixated on her. Her first destination to a part of the world unknown to her then took a leap of faith, but she needed to protect herself and young son.
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Stalked Into Fleeing America:
I have always enjoyed talking to people and hearing their stories of fortitude, and Renee’s is no exception. I was very happy that we got to do this interview because l believe that she is quite an inspiration, and l love her attitude which is similar to mine. Life knocks you down, but you keep going. Listening to her was fascinating. We shared about life and tragedy, living in Sharjah, one of the cities in the United Arab Emirates where she has been for the past six years or so teaching.
Some of the topics we touched on in the stalked into fleeing America podcast:
- Growing up in so many parts of the states in a military family and eventually settling in Florida.
- Slight interaction with a crazy man who ended up making her fear for her life and being advised to flee by the shelter.
- Making the ultimate sacrifice and leaving America with her son for a country she had never heard of.
- Letting go of fear, and embracing what was to come.
- What it was like in the new country, as opposed to what she had imagined.
- Why people who are able to travel, should.
- Moving to the UAE after two years.
- What life is like for them in Sharjah.
- Her advice for others contemplating the big move.
A Mother´s Grief:
I can’t even begin to imagine what it must feel like to lose a son. The hurt must have been insane, and to have to sit through a 17-hour flight to get back home must have been excruciating. She shares about her experience because it´s cathartic and hopefully some can also take comfort in her words.
Here is the telephone number for the Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
1-800-273-8255
Good came out of the tragedy as she donated her son’s organs, including his heart. With her permission, I am sharing a video that was made when her family met one of the recipients.
I’m sure her son would be proud. I’ve always said l was going back with every organ l came in with, but this has given me pause for thought.
Anyone who wants to reach out to Renee can email her here: Renee.dent at ais.ae.
Listen to this Nextbiteoflife podcast here or on your favorite listening apps like Spotify, iTunes, Stitcher, and lots more. Don’t forget to subscribe so as not to miss future episodes.
Life is always going to throw us curveballs. It’s what we do after the fact is what matters. I’m quite proud that Renee has not let life crush her, but is instead thriving, raising quite the handsome young man, plus an older one with a family. She is a proud mother and grandmother!
Other blog posts of interest:
What curveballs has life thrown your way, and how did you handle it?
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Touching video! I don’t even want to imagine how that feels though, but I am sure you have to be a really, really strong person to get past this. Life does like sometimes to throw at us everything it has. But we have to keep on going – that’s the way it is.
It was nice learning a bit about UAE – it’s not the most popular country out there, but sounds like a really nice one. I totally agree with the fact that travel is one of the biggest eye openers out there and the entire world would be a much better place if people would travel to more countries to experience first hand other cultures.
Yes, it was a really special one. She is a very brave woman who has had a few knockdowns but keeps going which is so commendable. You definitely have to be a strong person, there are so many things that could have taken over, the demons so to speak. We definitely have to keep going no matter what.
The more I speak with people who have lived in the UAE, the more you realize what a great place it is indeed. It´s the number one place so far that teachers especially have said they loved. I know wish l had spent more time when we visited, but it served its purpose for me. Travel is great and you can definitely learn so much from other cultures.
Thank you from my heart Kemkem for speaking with me. Thank you for sharing my son’s story. Thank you for your kindness and light. I am deeply humbled. It felt like we were in a cafe having tea and sharing a conversation. The way you’ve written about my son brings me untold peace. Just as I cannot describe my pain, I also cannot articulate my pure joy in knowing that others know about him. May your path be blessed with all that brings you joy and happiness. You’re a really unique and wonderful human.
Thank you too, Renee for sharing your story. I´m sure it will help others. It did feel like we were in the same room sharing a conversation, and I’ve always liked those best. I’m glad the post brought some peace to you. You know l wish you all the best and hope our paths cross at one time or another. You are quite a strong woman, and l love your attitude.
Thank you so much for your kind words. Yes, it is an unimaginable pain; one that stays like a boulder on your heart and soul forever. Never in my life did I imagine I would be a bereaved parent yet here I stand. Grief is the price we pay for love and I’d choose it again and again just to be Jarrell’s Mother.
I do hope you have an opportunity to visit UAE one day. It is truly a beautiful country, filled with amazing sights, but more so, incredible people.
Such an amazing and inspiring woman. Losing a child must be the hardest thing any parent can possibly endure. My heart goes out to Renee. Donating his organs was such an amazing gift of life. I am 100 percent for organ donation. My brother is a lucky recipient of a donated kidney. Without it, he would not be alive today. He is an amazing husband, father, brother and we are forever grateful to the donors family for allowing it to happen.
I agree with you. She is a tough woman, and definitely awe-inspiring. It must be one of the worst things that could ever happen. Parents are not meant to bury their child at all l agree. It must have been gut-wrenching to make the organ donor decision at that time, but what a gift to five people who would otherwise not be alive. How fortunate for your brother. It is indeed the gift of life. I have reconsidered since the interview and will be throwing my organs into the ring as well, flawed as they are :-).
Dear Gilda,
Thank you for your kind words. They mean so much. Losing a child is a parent’s worst nightmare. For it to be my actual life is really unspeakable. All I can tell you is that I find light and love from so many sources and I use this light to keep breathing.
I am very proud of my son; proud of the legacy he has left us as well as the five families.
It warms my heart to hear about your brother. May his life be filled with love and happiness, joy and strength. Sending you and him the warmest embrace.
Renee, I love that photo of you holding your son’s photo. So beautiful. He lives on now in all those people that have a little piece of him inside their bodies. These lives that have been saved, because of him and because of you. It is an incredible legacy indeed. Telling your story will for sure help others who might be going through something similar, thank you for sharing it with us.
Oh my God thank you for sharing your story and i am sure it will really help other’s out there
Yes, she is an extremely brave person and l was very grateful to her for sharing her story. It can only help others. Thanks so much for the kind comment.