If you have suffered a recent loss, or a long ago loss that you still grieve, I have created this space on my website as a little place to come for hope, encouragement and a dose of grace for ordinary days that continue. I have been meaning to create this space for awhile now.
In the space of five years, I experienced the loss of both my parents, my only child, my mother-in-law, and three beloved pets. Loss upon loss, grief upon grief.
I am not minimizing anyone’s losses, for each person we lose from this side of eternity (who are not lost to God at all) is unique. In this way the way we grieve them will be unique.
But that being said, I have never felt the gut-wrenching, earth shattering, life altering grief as keenly or painfully as when my 20-year-old only child, Katherine chose to end her life by suicide. How I miss her…every. Single. Day.
For those who have suffered the loss of a child I want to offer this page as way of telling you two things, beyond, I am sorry for your loss:
- You are not alone.
- You will go on.
I have gathered the words I have shared from my personal grief experiences here for the ease of my readers. Grief is a strange creature. Faith is a powerful partner. I have only been able to bear up under the heavy burden of my loss(es) by the faith God has given me to believe beyond belief that He is good, He is faithful and He is present with me, every step of my journey.
I am not a professional counselor, nor do I offer counseling here. But what I have (incorruptible faith) and what I know (the relentless love of an incomprehensible God) I will share, through the means of my own humanity, as my dear Lord and Savior leads. Which usually means with my writing. With the words I am given, in this life I am living…a life of humanity, and grace.
Here you will catch a glimpse of one who grieves- yet not without hope (1 Thessalonians)- and continues to work out both my faith and grief with fear and trembling(Philippians), by the grace of His Name. The only name matters that to me…that name is Jesus.
Here are some words I have shared thusfar:
On the loss of my daughter:
- The Green Hat {A Love Letter to My Girl}
- All I know About Grief and Sadness
- First Day of the Second Summer Without You
- Third Summer Without My Girl
- Journaling Through Grief
- A Letter to My Daughter One Year Later
- Why I Dare To Smile: A Post-Mother’s Day Reflection and Poem
- Daughters, Dolls, and Doctor Who
Other Losses:
- On Saying Goodbye to my Mom…The Last Love Letter
- A Truly Grand Grandmother
- Saying Goodbye to The Most Interesting Dog in the World
I will add to this page in the days ahead. I pray that you find a word of hope here, a glimpse of light for the path you are on.
Enthusiastically, Dawn
HELPFUL BOOKS ON GRIEF:
Coming soon…
Enthusiastically, Dawn 