Follow Your Heart

As the days turn into weeks, and the weeks into months, time begins to take on a strange new rhythm in the wake of loss. Eventually, the years begin to pass too, and yet the ache in your heart can feel just as sharp as it did in the beginning. If you’re navigating the journey of grief, whether fresh or years in the making, I want to remind you of something simple but powerful: Follow your heart. We can grieve with grace and courage.

Grief is not linear, and it doesn’t come with a stopwatch. People may say things like, “You should be moving on by now,” or “Aren’t you over that yet?” But there is no expiration date on love, and therefore, no timeline on grief. As a mother with a daughter in Heaven, I know this all too well. There are still days when the tears come easily, and I’ve learned to welcome them as part of my love story with my daughter.

You are the keeper of your loved one’s memory. No one can tell you how long to hold on, or how to carry their legacy. Speak their name. Share their stories. Laugh at the memories, cry when you need to, and smile when someone else remembers them too. Some of my favorite moments are when a friend shares a story about my daughter, Melanie. It warms my soul to know she lives on in the hearts of others.

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

So, if you’re wondering what to do in the quiet moments when the world seems to have moved on—listen inward. Follow your heart. Whether you find comfort in lighting a candle, journaling your thoughts, or simply sitting with your memories, give yourself permission to grieve your way. You’re not doing it wrong. You’re just doing it with love.