Treasures in Ashes: Twin Discoveries from a Cancer Journey
Dr. Beth Fletcher Brokaw and her twin sister, Anne Fletcher Grizzle, were born in Staunton, Virginia, in 1955, to Forest and Helen Fletcher.  Beth graduated from Muhlenberg College and Anne from Harvard University. They both earned M.S.W. degrees from Columbia University School of Social Work.       Beth earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Rosemead School of Psychology at Biola University. She was an adjunct professor of Psychology at Biola University and maintained a private clinical practice in Pasadena, California. She was a clinical psychologist, professor, wife, mother, and most of all—beloved child of God. She and her husband, David Brokaw, a professor at Azusa Pacific University, had two children: Laura, who is a rising senior at Vanderbilt University, and Nathan, now a vibrant, sociable teen. Beth was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, five days after Laura was born. David and Beth were fortunate to be able to adopt Nathan as an infant four years later. Seven years after the initial diagnosis, Beth’s cancer metastasized throughout her skeleton. Through an incredible synergy of prayer, support from friends and family, chemotherapies, hormones, and an amazing oncologist, she continued to live an abundantly fruitful and deeply connected life until her death on June 13, 2013.      Anne earned a Post Masters Certificate in Family Therapy from Hunter College of New York. She completed training with Shalem Institute in group spiritual direction, and now serves as associate faculty for several Shalem programs in contemplative spirituality.  Anne is the author of three books, including Going Home Grown Up and Reminders of God as well as numerous Conversations magazine articles. She has been a featured speaker on national television.  Currently she works as a therapist and spiritual director and leads retreats for mentoring, strength for the journey, contemplative spirituality and creativity.   Anne lives in Washington, DC with her husband of 35 years, David Grizzle, formerly general counsel for the Federal Aviation Administration.  They have three sons, Ben, Joshua, and Andrew, and six grandchildren.   She enjoys hiking, writing poetry, and hosting groups at their family retreat home, The Bellfry, in Lexington, Virginia.