A Year Later, After My Dad Died.

• What is my hero’s journey?

One day, I returned home from work to find everything I knew was gone. On January 11, 2025, my house was burnt to ashes, my father is dead, and my puppy is dead. 

• What lessons did I learn through moments of adversity and deep self-inquiry? 

Nothing is permanent. One day, I’m going to die myself.  I have fallen into major depression & chronic fatigue. A year later,
I also feel flabby. Don’t get me wrong, I still look great for the camera, but I really don’t feel well. Some days, I feel like I could fall over. On other days, I am okay. I am trying to survive my pain by reading the bible. 
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• What are my resolutions to find myself again?

I am not lost. I am traumatized. Loss refers to the emotional response to the absence of something or someone significant, while trauma is the psychological response to a distressing event that overwhelms a person's ability to cope. 

• What are physical, spiritual, and mental things I can do to overcome trauma? 

* Physical: I don’t know. I have to go back to the gym. I'm just very, very tired. If I can work out at home at least for 10 minutes, that’s my goal for this Lent season. 
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* Mental: I don’t know. Just getting back to my music and photography will be great. 

* Spiritual: I don’t know. I go to church, and that’s very helpful. I rebuke enemies and goofs of all kinds in Jesus name. Amen 

• Meeting my husband as a mentor? 

Leo and I are in love and nothing and no one can steal that. I find it funny that I have to remind some people everyday that I am married and I am a very good christian. I have A "big rock on my finger. "Actually 7 of them". I love gem stones. 

• Other mentors? 

Sure. I have lots of friends. It is certainly empowering to have friends, and I am very thankful for everyone who has been through this tragic time with me. 

• Do I remember who I was? 

I was a photographer by day and a pop star by Happy Hour. I don't like staying up late. I love the sunset.  

• Who am I now?

A writer. 

Victory:
After a year of isolation and deep grief, I start running this morning! I am going to keep running for my family who couldn't escape the fire. God bless my father, my puppy Romeo, and my mother, too, and all my other pets who died. 

My father took pictures of me at graduation.

My father took pictures of me at graduation.

Renee & Leo: Renee wrote a remix of her song Happy Hour feat. Leo, at her graduation back in 2015! When he heard the song, he fell in love with her. They have been chatting online since!

Renee and Dad went to Hawaii to celebrate my graduation.

My father took pictures of me at graduation.

Romeo, the puppy, went to my graduation. He is so cute.

Renee and other friends who also graduated from college.

In College, we love Einstein!

​Renee Zawawi graduated with dual degrees in Photography and Motion Picture, earning a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science. Renee Zawawi is the music business "Quarterback" and the first artist in music business history to have released 12 music videos in one year while a college student. Renee Zawawi has been working as a commercial photographer for years, but she took a one-year bereavement after the tragic death of her father back on January 11, 2025. 

Renee Zawawi went running this morning! Feb 22 - 2026