Can you believe it’s already the beginning of November? Where has the time gone? The calendar reminds me it’s only 53 more days until Christmas, but I’m not ready to think about that yet. It’s November, the month of Thanksgiving, so instead, I’m trying to focus on thanks, even if my heart is hurting. TruthContinue reading “Focusing on Thanks Even When Your Heart is Hurting”
Tag Archives: #grief
Grief is Complicated
Recently I went to the grand opening of a new florist that opened in our area. I was greeted by a lovely woman who happened to be one of the owners. She showed me around her quaint shop that offered unique clothing, jewelry and of course, flowers. After looking around I selected a beautiful “GrabContinue reading “Grief is Complicated”
Our Tears: A Pathway to the Healing of Our Heart
For those of us who find ourselves on the grief journey, I’m sure you’ve wondered if the tears would ever stop. For a time, I didn’t even bother to put on makeup, especially mascara. Why bother? It would only be a waste of product and energy. How many times did you think the tears wereContinue reading “Our Tears: A Pathway to the Healing of Our Heart”
Trusting God On An Ordinary Day, Until it Isn’t
Perhaps life has played out differently for you than me. The day Melanie ran ahead to heaven I expected it to just be, an ordinary day. I was on the first day of vacation, at the spa, getting a facial with a friend. I wasn’t expecting anything unusual to happen, and I definitely wasn’t anticipatingContinue reading “Trusting God On An Ordinary Day, Until it Isn’t”
Let it Go, Just Like Queen Elsa
How often do we allow ourselves to feel pressured by others to feel a certain way? How often do we allow ourselves to feel guilty that we aren’t further along in our grief journey? It happens more often than we’d like to admit. It doesn’t have to be this way, my friends. In case youContinue reading “Let it Go, Just Like Queen Elsa”
The Missing Never Ends
My childhood friend came to visit this past weekend. We have been friends since kindergarten and we can honestly say, we’ve done life together. This was her first visit since Melanie ran ahead to heaven and we found ourselves saying, the missing never ends. Melanie may no longer be physically here on this earth, butContinue reading “The Missing Never Ends”
Two Simple Words – I’m Here
Recently, a friend shared a post with these two simple words – I’m here. There was something about those two words that made me stop in my tracks. If you know someone who finds themselves on this sad and oftentimes lonely road called Grief, take a moment and think about how important two simple wordsContinue reading “Two Simple Words – I’m Here”
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 walkedContinue reading “Sharing My Grief Journey”
International Overdose Awareness Day
Today is International Overdose Awareness Day and I am dedicating my post to honor the memory of all those who were lost to overdose and the parents who are grieving them. Friends, I started this blog almost a year ago as a means to share my grief journey with those of you who were alsoContinue reading “International Overdose Awareness Day”
International Overdose Awareness Month
August is International Overdose Awareness month. People from every walk of life will come together on August 31st, Overdose Awareness Day, to gather in honor of their loved ones who died due to this disease. Did you know that in 2020 we had the highest number of overdoses ever recorded? 81,000 people lost their livesContinue reading “International Overdose Awareness Month”
Never Thought it Would Happen to Me
We all have challenges in life. We will all suffer loss at some point in our lives, too. No matter the specific circumstance you may find yourself walking through right now, has this thought ever crossed your mind – I never thought it would happen to me! Maybe your loved one passed away unexpectedly inContinue reading “Never Thought it Would Happen to Me”
Grief: A Seesaw Journey
Yesterday marked 17 months since I was told Melanie was gone from this earth and I must admit, some days are still so darn hard. This grief journey reminds me of a seesaw, but without any of the fun we had as kids. There continue to be countless days when it all still seems soContinue reading “Grief: A Seesaw Journey”
Grieving with Hope
Recently, a friend and fellow warrior mom lost her second son to the insidious disease of addiction. Oh, how my heart broke for her. It is hard enough to lose one child, but two is unfathomable. Another longtime friend has been grieving the loss of her son for two long years. My heart breaks forContinue reading “Grieving with Hope”
Navigating Memories When They Bring Both Comfort and Pain
I’m a member of a few private grief groups for parents who have lost children to Substance Use Disorder. These groups have hundreds of moms and dads with this same shared experience. We can be there to comfort one another and it helps knowing we are not alone. As you would imagine, although we shareContinue reading “Navigating Memories When They Bring Both Comfort and Pain”
Life is a Journey – Not a Race
As some of you may know, I have been working on writing a book about my daughter and the grief journey I have found myself thrust into. I recently received the manuscript back from my editor and am in the process of completing the final updates and edits. It’s been during this long process I’veContinue reading “Life is a Journey – Not a Race”
The Many Faces of Grief
Usually when we think of the word grief it implies a negative connotation, and quite honestly, I’m sure we can all understand why. Websters defines grief as, “deep and poignant distress.” During the early days of walking this grief journey I could think of nothing else other than the deep sadness and missing my daughter.Continue reading “The Many Faces of Grief”
When Does the Fallout End?
My Dad served in WW II. After we visited Normandy and saw some of the area where these battles were fought in the trenches, I can better understand why he never wanted to talk about his time there. There are some days I feel a lot like my Dad. I feel like I’m on aContinue reading “When Does the Fallout End?”
Rebuilding From the Rubble
Recently a tornado ripped through a local neighborhood where we knew several families who had their homes destroyed. A few of the homes were decimated, but many others were left partially standing. There was something about seeing those homes that made me feel a strange sense of kinship with them. Since the death of myContinue reading “Rebuilding From the Rubble”
Escaping the Noise: Run to the Father
There are days when I want to think about anything, other than grief. Some days I’m so weary of my own mind. My own thoughts on repeat: Missing. Death. Dying. Addiction. Loss. Wishing for a different outcome. Oh, how I want things to be normal again but what does that really mean anymore? Even ifContinue reading “Escaping the Noise: Run to the Father”