Growing In Grief with the Honigford’s

06/18/2026

Growing in Grief

Ask for Help

My sweet Jen once told me if there was something I needed help with…to just come right out and ask for help. I had a way of sitting back and waiting for people to see what I needed and just show up. And so…often I was left to figure it all out on my own when she was sick. She was so wise!

When my husband died, I knew right away I was not going to be able to do all the things he had planned for this summer and beyond. I knew the only way was to ask for help.

Like gardening, grief and being a widow is not easy. It is demanding in every aspect. I have been finding help in my grief through counseling, my family, community, and my church. And the first weekend in June, I found help in my gardening too.

Our beautiful Ottoville Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and neighboring Catholic Churches put together a YES weekend. When I heard these young men and women were looking to help people in the community, I did exactly what my Jen had advised me to do…I asked for help.

I never could have completed this on my own. And I have so much gratitude for the help they gave me. The generosity I have found these last sixteen weeks has been nothing short of amazing. And so… “I throw up my hands, and praise You again and again. Cause all that I have is a hallelujah! “

06/04/2026

Last fall, Randy and I planted tulip bulbs with the goal to allow them to multiply and dig them up after the foliage had died back , and replant in the fall. When they bloomed in April and early May…I wasn’t sure I would mess with them. Not only because it felt overwhelming, but also because putting my hands in the same soil we had touched together felt heavy.

Last year, I had spent time learning about growing tulips and allowing the bulbs to multiply. Prior I had been doing it incorrectly and I was always disappointed in the spring when they didn’t return as I had hoped.

Like grief, tulips require timing and patience. With tulips, if you dig up the bulbs too soon, the energy from the foliage is lost and the bulbs won’t generate new flowers. But if you don’t dig them up once the foliage has died back, you risk the bulbs rotting in the soil.

Grief definitely requires lots of patience. Moving through it too quickly it can manifest into insomnia and fatigue. It can affect your relationships with others and cause depression. However prolonged intense grief can lead to heart problems, weakened immune function, sleep disturbances, fatigue, headaches, digestive issues, and even accelerated cognitive decline.

Like tulip bulbs, grief requires careful attention. It can’t be ignored . It can’t be rushed. But also, not finding joy again in your life comes with a host of other problems.

I’m finding putting my hands in soil, being outdoors, and tending to tulip bulbs and other plants very healing. I scream in frustration, smile in my accomplishments , and often cry in the solitude. While I’m growing in my knowledge of gardening, I’m also growing in processing my grief. Summer is bringing its challenges. But I’m working through it with each passing day.

06/04/2026

Pray for Niese family as they lost both their boys in an accident.

https://www.loveheitmeyer.com/obituaries/agustin-gus-niese?fbclid=IwZnRzaASOdD9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEe4vyVOOSuWDnJJSXG4HmH48Q7zMKmwE2r958qtl9TGenobIvKxim1-dVOtkc_aem_9tftcpgB3PxVilESuFiFsA

View Agustin "Gus" Niese's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

06/02/2026

In February of this year, Jennifer’s dad joined her in heaven after a bad fall at his home. Please pray for Jen’s family as they navigate another horrible loss.

It seems appropriate to change the name of this page from “Rally Together with Jennifer fighting AML” to “ Growing in Grief with the Honigford’s.”

06/02/2026

Growing In Grief ….

Grief is hard. It’s work. It’s exhausting. It leaves you a mess. It’s demanding on your body. And it feels endless.

The planting of this memory garden felt very much the same. It was hard work. It was exhausting. It left me so messy…I had to shower a second time today. My body ached. And I really never thought I would get it done.

But I stuck to the task at hand today. I worked through the process, the exhaustion, and the pain. The job isn’t 100% done yet…but then grief is an ongoing process too. But I’m getting there. In the garden and in my grief.

06/09/2025

This sweet girl from Harrod received an AML diagnosis today. Please pray for her and her family 🧡

Hello Everyone! This is Koda Callahan. She is a strong, cute, and very brave 2-year… Ally Moore needs your support for Support Koda Callahan's Leukemia Battle

02/27/2024

02/25/2024

Last year, after a Mass for her soul, we celebrated Jennifer's life with family and friends. At the celebration, we raffled off a portion of Jennifer's elephant collection.

When I heard about a splash pad being built in Ottoville, I knew that was where I wanted to make a difference in her honor. Since then, I haven't heard where the spash pad stands but I continue to add to the funds and watch for something I know Jennifer would love.

As we continue to grieve the lost of our sweet girl, two years after her passing, another Mass is being offered in her memory on Sunday, March 3 at 10:30am at Ottoville Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. However, I have been wondering how else I could honor her.

And then, it appeared without fail. (Sometimes prayers are answered when we least expect it.) You see, today I went to see The Chosen (episodes 4-6) in VanWert. As I was buying my ticket, I look down and see a flyer. Jen passed away two years ago on March 4. A Light The Night event on the eve of the anniversary of her passing. She spent five and half years battling this horrible disease, I can't think of a better way to honor her.

Jennifer had hoped to create her own Light The Night event. She didn't generate any interest in others attending. She was heart broken. And here we have a chance to honor her while helping others who fight leukemia.

Let's do this!!!!!! For those fighting today. For Jennifer!

01/31/2024

I didn’t think today would be as hard as it is. I miss you so much Jennifer. And I am sitting here wishing I could have given you the world.

Happy Heavenly Birthday my girl.

Steven Lee Olsen - Happy Heavenly (Official Video Visualizer)Stream Happy Heavenly: https://lnk.to/HappyHeavenlyYdFollow Steven Lee Olsen:Instagram: https://...

11/09/2023

What is one thing you NEED but cannot afford right now? Everyone check to see what others say. Maybe you have it and don't need it or have a connection to get it. Never know who we can help or how we can help each other.❤
NO REQUESTS FOR MONEY!!
Please put specifics like sizing and location so we can make sure that it can be delivered properly.

(I saw this in another group and thought it was really cool to watch people connect and help each other this holiday season 🥰)

Happy Holidays! ✨