Sharing My Grief Journey

It’s hard to believe I began sharing my grief journey with you here one year ago today. I started this blog as a means to share my heart and connect with others who were traveling the same road.  It’s been a rollercoaster ride, but I am so grateful for all of you who have walked along side me.

Grief is hard.  I’m in the second year after losing Melanie and I don’t believe we ever really get over the loss of our loved ones.

Our grief changes, but it never disappears.

The other day another bereaved mom and I were talking about how the journey has evolved. We are no longer in the bone-crushing, heart-palpitating moments of grief, where we can’t catch our breath due to our cries. But …

It still hurts. A piece of us is missing and can never be replaced. 

There are many days, when for a split second I believe Melanie is still here and I expect her to walk through the front door any moment.

Or the phone rings and the thought immediately crosses my mind – it’s been so long since I’ve talked to Mel, I hope it’s her name that’s lighting up my screen. Sadly, it’s not.

Grief is ongoing but I’ve also been able to find some beauty within.  The grief has only strengthened my faith and my walk with God is closer than I ever thought possible.

Some have asked, how can you be close to God since He took your daughter? My response to that is, how could I not draw closer to Him?  He is the one holding my girl now. She is with Him in heaven and that’s where I long to be.

Our family talks about Melanie all the time.  I hope you talk about your loved one, too.

Say their name! Keep their memory alive. 

If you meet another who is hurting, be that person who gives them a hug, an ear to listen and a shoulder to lean on.

Be the hope for someone else’s loss.  Just like Jesus, I strive to give beauty for the ashes.

As you know, grief is a lonely walk.  But together we can lift each other up. Pouring my heart out on these pages over the past year, and hearing from so many of you, has made me feel a little less alone as we navigate this journey together.