Journey to Grateful

Welcome to my new weekly series, Growing Through Loss. This series is designed to strip back the typically planned podcast episode with a more off-the-cuff discussion of experiences I've had over the last week as they relate to my loss journey. This week I take an honest look at beginning a new school year once again without my teammate, my wife. I reflect on my lack of planning as it compares to...

In this episode, I chat with my guest, Mary Ellen, about her new perspective on sharing grief, which allows us to navigate our grief in a healthy manner. We also examine many aspects of loss where we find the need to ask for help while identifying our need for normal and what that looks like for us individually. Mary Ellen lost her husband just over two and a half years ago while I have recently p...

Although specific to those who have lost a spouse or partner who they have relied on to help with parenting, this episode examines another aspect of loss often overlooked. In the first days and weeks after loss, it's common to feel disorientated, and even more common to feel downright surprised at the many details of everyday life we took for granted when our spouse or partner was here. Parenting...

In this episode, I welcome back a special guest, Mary Ellen to discuss our perspective grief journeys and to provide for our listener's guideposts to help anyone on their own path of grief. We touch upon how we have approached a more healthy path of grief, accepting grief bombs as they come, holding tight to memories that have helped to shape our lives and to make room for taking care of ourselves...

With nearly a year since the loss of my wife, I've had my fair share of milestones to push through and I've found only one way to deal with them. Head on. Pushing them down or away will not allow you to prepare for them in a manner that is healthy. However, there is one thing about milestones you must prepare yourself for… and that is the unexpected. No matter how well you think you've prepped for...

Join me as I and my guest, Mary Ellen, experience our first grief conversation. Our focus begins with early grief and the many ways we have personally navigated those first days and weeks of our grief. We explore the idea of the individuality of grief and how to best embrace the journey and the process. We offer suggestions of coping, as we have experienced it, and share our personal expressions o...

In this episode, you will join me on a walk and discuss with you What Grief Looks Like. This new format came about through a challenge from a fellow podcaster. I tend to walk to clear my head, so this friend suggested I walk away from my computer & notes, instead take you on a walk with me as I freely discuss the misconceptions of what typical grief looks like. I will share with you my experiences...

Although a loss, however it occurs, is a difficult thing to face, we discuss accepting death before it happens and what details are involved in doing so. With everything in life, there are positive and negative aspects to almost everything we experience. Could there be a positive aspect of the anticipation of a loss that could be considered a blessing? If so, how best can we handle this to make th...

When it comes to support, we, as a family, have been very blessed. In numbers as well as types of support, our family and friends have truly been there for us through the illness and loss of my wife, Colleen to cancer. There is a group, however, that I feel the need to highlight as their constant support and heartfelt, thoughtfulness has simply been wonderful. It's not the usual adult friends, nei...

It truly shouldn't matter if you are 6 days or 6 months past the loss of someone special, your ability to reach out to your support system and ask for help does not have an expiration date. You may feel it's been too long to ask for help, but your friends and family feel differently. In fact, many are themselves, wondering how to reach out to you, how they can offer to help. I'm sure of it because...

The first days after a loss are never easy. There's no arguing that point. However, there can be moments of comfort seeded in the memories uncovered. Throughout the planning that will encompass much of the first week, I was able to find bright rays of sunshine in what I knew was my darkest days. Based on memories and stories shared by family and friends, this became the catalyst of how I pushed th...

Through the loss of my wife to cancer, I've come to understand the most valuable asset my family and friends possess is the ability to lift me up when I've needed it most with the simplest of gestures. There is no perfect formula to help someone grieve, the being there, listening, and providing a slice of normal is often exactly what is needed. However, it's hard for some people to know and unders...