surviving so much more than
breast cancer.
golden scars
A diagnosis of breast cancer comes just before the one-year anniversary of the death of Emily’s mother. Scared and still grieving that loss, Emily has to search deep within her to find the courage to face a cancer battle head on.
She’s been through enough storms in her past that prepared her to weather this one.
The tragic death of her first husband.
Raising three young children as a solo parent.
Finding the courage to embrace love again.
In her touching debut memoir, Golden Scars, Emily uses her story to help others facing similar circumstances know what to expect when they hear the word, “cancer.”
Golden Scars will leave you heartbroken but inspired to call upon your strongest self in times of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
meet the author
Emily Zarecki is a seasoned communications and public relations professional. Her 25-year career spans global Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 companies, nonprofit and agency settings.
Completing treatment for breast cancer not only gave Emily a new perspective on life but also ignited a flame to do more writing and storytelling. She founded Clarion Communications in 2021 and is its lead consultant and chief storyteller.
inspiration
The inspiration for the title of the book, Golden Scars, came from a description of kintsugi, an ancient Japanese art form. It read, “In Japan, broken objects are often repaired with gold. The flaw is seen as a unique piece of the object’s history, which adds to its beauty.”
The symbolism of kintsugi is a beautiful reminder that everyone can feel broken by tragedies and difficult experiences. But, those difficulties are the cracks that become part of who we are. We carry all of life’s experiences, good and bad, with us. They shape us. They become part of our story.
Kintsugi is a reflection of how we can endure challenges, setbacks, and hardships, and emerge stronger and more beautiful for having faced them. The use of gold to mend the cracks highlights the idea that our scars, both physical and emotional, can be transformed into something precious.