I started Embrace Your Grief because I needed to be in it. I needed a way to process my own grief, and I needed to feel connected to the human…
Choosing Joy Wasn’t Enough.
What Grief Taught Me About Practicing Joy For a long time, my thoughts were filled with what ifs. What if my husband Shawn hadn’t died. What if I had made…
My Dad Left Behind A Lot of Junk From His Business…
But I Found True Value in the Items I Least Expected With a father as an antique reseller, our house often doubled as a storage facility — even into adulthood….
Moving abroad and leaving behind my dying Grandma
In October 2023, I permanently relocated from Canada to Lithuania. My decisions for moving were multifaceted, but one of the biggest drivers was to connect to my Lithuanian heritage and…
Navigating A Parent’s Dementia: Twice Bereaved
I began my career in social services in 1997, working in Edinburgh with people who were living with HIV/AIDS. At that time, Edinburgh was Europe’s “AIDS Capital.” Bereavement was a…
Beyond the Caregiver: Grieving the Loss of an Identity
The Unexpected Grief of No Longer Being a Caregiver “To be needed is a great thing, but to be unnecessary is even greater.” — Maya Angelou When caregiving ends, whether…
When Kids Grieve
Grief makes for a difficult journey, no matter your age, gender, or background. However, for a young person, it can be especially confusing. The average child or teen hasn’t had…
Grief: Not Running Away From It
I like to say the biggest gift my mom ever gave me was her depression. In many ways, it’s the gift that keeps on giving. Even as I near my…
The Profound Shift: Life Before and After Loss
After grief, it’s as if a person has lived two separate lives: the before and the after. All experiences seem to fall into one of those two categories. Life changes…
Navigating a New “Normal” After My Mother Passed
It’s been over a year since I lost my mom. Honestly, I try not to count and track the time, as I’m always worried I’ll obsess over it and make…
