Journeys Through Grief

10/08/2026

10/06/2026

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month—a time to honor survivors, raise awareness, and remind one another that help is available. If you are in an unsafe relationship, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1 (800) 799-7233 or text “START” to 88788. Support is available 24/7.

Painful or complicated relationships can make grief complicated, too. You may feel sadness, relief, guilt, resentment, or the loss of hope that things could have changed. If your grief feels mixed or misunderstood, please know your feelings are valid, and you do not have to process them alone. Please reach out to caregivers in your sphere for support.

10/01/2026

10/01/2026

Human beings are wired for connection. From our first breath, we seek the faces of others—people who see us, love us, honor who we are, and offer a caring presence. In grief, the support of those around us can help us carry painful emotions, fatigue, and daily responsibilities. Do not be afraid to ask for help, find comfort in another person’s presence, or let God hold your questions. You are not a burden to those who love you.

09/29/2026

One of the most tender and challenging parts of grief is learning to hold emotions that seem to contradict one another. We may feel joy and sorrow, hope and despair, anger and regret—or even moments of peace alongside deep pain. Grief rarely moves in a straight line; instead, it asks us to make room for the many emotions that can exist within us, sometimes all at once. This poem beautifully captures some of the complexity of those conflicting emotions and the realities we encounter along our grief journey. I hope you find something within these words that speaks to your own experience and reminds you that whatever you are feeling, you are not alone.

09/22/2026

When someone dies suddenly, it can feel as though the ground has shifted beneath us. In the course of a single day, we may move back and forth between shock, disbelief, numbness, deep sadness, and the aching need to understand why. After a sudden loss, it is important to gently acknowledge the intensity of what you are feeling and to recognize that there is no “right” way to grieve. Even when self-care feels far from your mind, small rhythms of care—resting when you can, eating what you are able, breathing deeply, and accepting support—can help carry you through. Most of all, be tender and patient with yourself. You are bearing a heavy burden you never expected to carry, and it is okay to slow down, pause, and give yourself time to begin processing the loss.

09/17/2026

Our grief needs a tender place to breathe — a place where it can be named, honored, and gently expressed. Though grief is never something we would choose, it becomes woven into the story of our lives, shaping us in ways both visible and unseen. That story deserves patience, compassion, and room to unfold at its own pace. In safe and loving spaces, sorrow can be spoken honestly, without fear of judgment or the pressure to be “okay.” We need to be heard, to feel held, and to know that our pain is witnessed with care. I hope you have people around you who can offer that kind of sacred space — people who will sit beside you in the ache, listen with tenderness, and remind you that you are not alone. And I hope this page can be a quiet, welcoming place for you to give your sorrow words, one breath at a time.

09/15/2026

For those in our community that need a gentle reminder that love never dies and love forever connects us to those we have lost, I offer these words:

09/11/2026

Grief can interrupt even our most familiar spiritual practices, including prayer. After the death of someone we love, we may feel too overwhelmed to pray, too unsettled to find peace, or simply unable to give words to what we carry. In those tender moments, even the simplest prayer can be enough: “God, help me,” or “God, be near.” If this loss has stirred questions about faith, please know that such questions are welcome. They can be held with gentleness, explored with honesty, and may even become part of prayer itself.

09/08/2026

For anyone in our community caring for a loved one with a terminal illness, this quote is for you. This journey can feel hard, lonely, and exhausting. Alongside caregiving, you may be carrying grief, denial, and the tender work of supporting your loved one as they face what is unfolding. Today, I hope you can take even a few moments to care for yourself—to put on your own oxygen mask. Journal, sip tea, listen to the birds, or rest when your loved one rests. The dishes can wait.