December’s daily #OneGoodThing was dedicated to celebrating extraordinary women I know. Many of the 31 bold, beautiful, brave women featured shared stories of perseverance after abuse, addiction, miscarriages, illness, and loss. They represent various fields and backgrounds, and I admire each for their passion and strength. The series was so deeply inspiring that I felt it needed to live on as a weekly feature in 2020. Each Monday, I’ll introduce you to another incredible superhero—including artists, businesswomen, union organizers, nurses, writers, teachers, movie makers, designers, reporters, and all-around badasses. It’s about finding the extraordinary in each of us!

Dena Clover-Vargas grew up in Sonoma County. She is a mother, wife, sister, daughter, and friend. She owns Find a Home Sonoma County as a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty. Her eclectic work has included child development, photographer, event production, artist management, owning retail satellite stores and housekeeper, house painter and landscape worker. She has been married for 10 years to her best friend, Steve. Her two daughters make her so proud and are living in San Francisco building careers of their own. Dena has made the life of her dreams and continues to be amazed by the gifts in the world and the wonderful people she meets.

1. What did you want to be “when you grew up?”  Miss America and an Air Force Fighter Pilot

2. What makes you the most proud of yourself?  Raising two daughters that have become amazing, strong women fearless in their pursuits of creating their own adult lives and becoming who they are meant to be.

3. What darkness have you overcome? How did you find strength?  I have struggled with depression my whole life and as is common I battled addiction. Sober for 9 years and managing my depression, I am grateful to know true darkness and to share that experience with others as hope for us all. I found strength by surrendering. I gave up the fight and now use tools every day to stay emotionally, spiritually and physically fit, so I can be of service to others. I have purpose.

4. Where will we find you on a Saturday morning at 10 a.m.?  In a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous

5. What makes you smile the most?  Everything! I am just so grateful to be alive and have so many blessings.

Bonus: What advice would you give your younger self?  Do not struggle is tattooed on my wrist. I want to cry when I think of my younger self and all the needless suffering. I would tell myself “You are worthy of love and very special to the people who matter most. Don’t work so hard, ask for help and you don’t need to have it all figured out. A dear friend gave me this quote “You’ve always had the power, my dear, you just had to learn it for yourself” So I guess with that and who I am now, maybe I would tell my younger self to take better care of your skin and enjoy the process, someday it will be all good. You are ok.

Today’s #OneGoodThing is sharing this extraordinary woman and our friend, Dena Clover-Vargas, with all of you! We are stronger together, so let’s shine a light on our extraordinary sisters! If you’d like to participate or nominate a woman to participate, please send me a note or leave a comment! What was your #OneGoodThing today? Please share in the comments! Kindness is Everything.

Day 13 of 366. And Day 1,474 in a row (here’s the first 366, & the following 365, & the third year of 365 good things, & the 4th year of good things)!

On this day…

• 1 year ago: Peppermint fudge cupcakes
• 2 years ago: Renewing a childhood passion
• 3 years ago: Blow-dry by Mama
• 4 years ago: A Giggle on the Telly
• 6 years ago: A Smile With Every Sip