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.

For many, this is a time of joy and connection. But for those who are grieving, the holidays can be overwhelming and feel like a season we quietly brace ourselves for.

As Mother’s Day approaches, our hearts are stirred in countless ways. For many, it’s a day filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories. But for others, it’s also a day tinged with sorrow — mothers grieving the loss of children, daughters mourning the absence of their mothers. It’s a complicated mixture of gratitude and grief, joy and pain. Because of grief, we are changed by loss, held by grace.

When we face the loss of a loved one, a broken relationship, or another life-altering event, our world is turned upside down.

Secondary losses are the additional effects of a primary loss. When we experience grief, these secondary losses can blindside us. We may expect to mourn the death of our loved one, but the way that grief expands—touching every aspect of life—can be unexpected and overwhelming.

But living without hope is impossible. Hope is our oxygen. It’s the fuel that keeps us going when times are tough, giving us the strength to press on through the challenges we face during loss, and the vision to dream of better days.