A new year can feel like an unspoken expectation—to be stronger, to do better, to move on. But grief does not follow the calendar.

The Christmas season has a way of magnifying what and who is missing. Everywhere we turn, people are celebrating “the most wonderful time of the year,” yet for those grieving, it can feel like the heaviest. The lights may sparkle, but our hearts don’t always shine the same way they once did. And the tension between what the world expects and what our souls can carry becomes especially real. One of the hardest parts of the holidays is figuring out how to handle invitations, ga

It’s hard to believe we’ve already turned the page to December. Thanksgiving has passed, and now Christmas is quickly approaching — another holiday at our heels, another one to get through. For many, this is a season filled with excitement and joy. But for those of us who have lost someone we love; it can also bring a deep ache that seems to grow louder with each twinkling light and familiar carol.

Every year the month of July is designated as Bereaved Parents Awareness Month. There was a time in my life when I never knew such a thing existed. However, now, as a parent who has a child who ran ahead to heaven, I’m all too painfully aware.

No matter the storm, sing. Give thanks. Stare at majesty.

I’m sure you’ve heard that grief is like the ocean—vast, deep, and ever-changing. One moment, the waters are calm, and you find a sense of peace as memories gently brush the shore of your heart. The next moment, without warning, a storm rolls in, and you’re overwhelmed by crashing waves of sorrow and longing. It doesn’t follow a schedule or respect the passage of time. It simply is—a force of nature that becomes a part of us.

If you’re early in your walk with grief, please be assured that the hard, all-consuming heaviness you feel right now does not last forever. In the beginning, grief can feel like a tidal wave, knocking the wind out of you when you least expect it.

Memorial Day is traditionally a time to honor those who gave their lives in military service. But for many, this day holds a deeper, more personal weight. It’s a reminder of every kind of loss—the child gone too soon, the sibling who never came home, the friend whose laughter now only lives in memory.

When we think of all the emotions that come with grief the first one that often comes to mind is sadness. And while sadness is certainly part of the journey, it is far from the whole picture. Grief is more than one emotion.

Your grief is personal. Your love is sacred. Follow your heart and grieve with grace and courage. Your heart knows the way.

Our grief is not linear. Some days, we feel overwhelmed by sadness; other days, we can laugh, smile, and find happiness in the smallest moments.

Although wounds do become scars, those scars become stories. I truly believe we are meant to share our stories with one another. By doing so, they offer hope to others along the way.  

As the anniversary day approaches, we are flooded with memories and emotions. This day can be incredibly challenging, as it often brings the pain of loss back to the surface.

we may feel emotionally overwhelmed, exhausted, or simply unable to engage in the usual routines of social interaction. Grief can be incredibly draining, and it’s not unusual for us to retreat inward as we process our loss. The isolation of grief can come from a place of self-protection – when we are deep in our sorrow, we may feel vulnerable, fear being a burden, and struggle with the intensity of our emotions.

We read a lot about the many emotions that accompany grief, yet we don’t always talk much about anticipatory grief. Although anticipatory grief is the overwhelming feeling of sadness and loss before a loved one passes away, I have also found we can experience anticipatory grief after our loved one runs ahead to Heaven.

There is no grief like the grief of losing a child. It’s not a journey anyone prepares for, and there are no words that can ever make sense of the depth of your loss. But even in the darkest moments, finding hope during child loss can still find its way into your heart.

Some say that time heals all wounds, but I don’t believe it. What I do believe is when we walk in faith, God continually heals our broken heart. I believe a scar begins to develop over the open wound in our heart and as time goes by the pain may begin to ease.

For many, New Year’s Eve is a time of celebration, reflection, and looking forward to a fresh start. But for those who are grieving through New Year’s, it can be one of the hardest times of the year. The pressure to feel joyful, hopeful, and optimistic can be overwhelming when the weight of loss still hangs heavy. Grief has a way of making time feel distorted. The holidays, which are supposed to be filled with cheer, often serve as stark reminders of who is no longer there. O