One of the greatest gifts our loved ones leave behind is their legacy. Not the kind measured by accomplishments, titles, or possessions. But the kind measured by love. Long after someone is gone, their influence remains. It lives in the lessons they taught us. The values they instilled in us. The traditions they created. The kindness they showed. The ways they loved and cared for others. We often think of legacy as something large and extraordinary. Yet many of the most meani

Today would have been my dad's birthday. While the date has been quietly sitting on my calendar, I realize most people around me have no idea. And that's okay. Even if others may not remember, my heart always will. It is simply one of the realities of grief. As time passes, the world keeps moving forward. People return to their routines. Conversations shift. Life becomes busy. Meanwhile, those of us who are grieving continue carrying the memories, dates, and milestones that r

Why do we still talk to our loved ones after loss? It's a question many grieving people quietly ask themselves. Even after someone we love is gone, we often find ourselves wanting to tell them about our day, share good news, or hear their voice just one more time. If I could have one more conversation with you, I often wonder what I would say. Would I tell you about the big things? The milestones you've missed. The family gatherings. The graduations, weddings, birthdays, and

One of the hardest parts of grief is realizing that life keeps moving forward. The seasons change. Children grow up. Milestones arrive. New memories are made. And somehow, we are expected to keep walking into those new seasons without the person we love beside us. There are moments when their absence feels especially heavy. A graduation they should have attended. A wedding where their seat sits empty. The birth of a grandchild they never got to hold. A family vacation that fe

One of the quiet truths about grief is this: it doesn’t just change your circumstances—it changes you. After loss touches your life, the world begins to look different. The things that once seemed important may no longer matter in quite the same way. Conversations that used to feel easy can suddenly feel difficult. Places that once brought comfort may now carry memories that take your breath away. And slowly you begin to realize something you didn’t expect. You don’t quite fi

I imagine many of you think, “Phew, we made it! We managed to survive the holiday season.” As each Christmas passes, I realize I’m still standing. Still breathing. Still holding tight to the One who continues to hold me. Jesus is the cornerstone of each and every day of my life. I don’t know whereContinue reading “New Year’s Resolutions for the Bereaved”

It’s been a few years since I’ve written about self-care (Self Care or Selfish), but it remains an integral part in helping walk through the grief journey. Recently, I’ve been thinking that no matter how much time goes by, it’s still so important to protect your heart while you grieve. As the season changes fromContinue reading “Protect Your Heart While You Grieve”

As we approach Thanksgiving many of us will look upon the empty chair at the table. The hole deep within our heart will now be staring openly at us. Holidays are hard. If you are early on in your grief journey you may wonder how you’re going to get through the day. The empty chairContinue reading “The Empty Chair”