A reader asked if I would write more about grief. What unfolded over the course of our private exchanges was one of the most layered grief stories I have encountered – not because her experience is unusual, but because it is far more common than anyone talks about. This post is for her. And I suspect it is for more of you than any one of us might realize.
Tag Archives: Grief and Loss
Grief is Praise: The Sacred Work of Loving What We’ve Lost | Daily Bread
We live in a culture that treats grief like a broken bone. It morphs grief into something that needs to be set, healed quickly, and returned to normal function as soon as possible. We’re given timelines for mourning, prescribed stages to move through, and gentle but persistent pressure to “find closure” and “move on.” ButContinueContinue reading “Grief is Praise: The Sacred Work of Loving What We’ve Lost | Daily Bread”
When the Yoke Breaks
In that day their burden will be lifted from your shoulders, their yoke from your neck; the yoke will be broken because you have grown so fat. (Isaiah 10:27) There’s a moment in every true spiritual journey when you realize that the burden didn’t disappear — you outgrew it. We talk a lot about GodContinueContinue reading “When the Yoke Breaks”
What Caregiving Is Really Like (Series): The Many Layers of Grief in Caregiving
Caregiving is a profound, sacred journey that takes us through various emotional, physical, and spiritual landscapes. Yet, one of the most complex and often misunderstood aspects of caregiving is the grief that caregivers experience. This grief is not just tied to the death of a loved one but begins long before that final loss. AndContinueContinue reading “What Caregiving Is Really Like (Series): The Many Layers of Grief in Caregiving”
The Purpose of Pain: Where God Meets Us
We come into this world fragile, unknowing, and dependent—and we leave it in much the same way. Along the way, life leaves its marks on us, not in spite of its challenges but because of them. We are shaped, scarred, and softened by the trials we face. Yet so many of us chase an illusion—aContinueContinue reading “The Purpose of Pain: Where God Meets Us”
A Hero’s Wisdom: Lessons from My Father’s Library and Encouragement for Grieving Children
All of this reflection sparked by a book has me wishing, desperately, that my dad was still here. I miss him so much—especially in moments like this, when I feel so moved by his books. He loved them. I know where he stood on them, what he believed. But when he was alive, I just…IContinueContinue reading “A Hero’s Wisdom: Lessons from My Father’s Library and Encouragement for Grieving Children”
When the Fight Feels Endless: On Relapse, Abuse, and Grief
Life has a way of testing us in unimaginable ways, often leaving us feeling broken, lost, and questioning the very point of it all. Whether you’re fighting to stay sober, wrestling with the shadows of abuse, or trying to make sense of grief that refuses to ease, these battles can feel insurmountable. If you’re here,ContinueContinue reading “When the Fight Feels Endless: On Relapse, Abuse, and Grief”
The Practice of Happiness: A Foundational Principle for 2025
As we enter a new year, it’s almost impossible to escape the tidal wave of resolutions. Everywhere, people are declaring what they won’t do, how they’ll “fix” themselves, and which habits they’ll break. This collective focus on lack—on what must be eliminated, avoided, or overcome—perpetuates the very energies of woundedness and insufficiency that many areContinueContinue reading “The Practice of Happiness: A Foundational Principle for 2025”
Solar Return 46: Threadbare Elegy
The profound nature of art and truth is that what’s meant to be about someone else often feels like it’s written just for us, holding a mirror to our own soul. That’s the gift of true connection—even the darker ones we share as souls. I think that’s part of what agape love truly is: notContinueContinue reading “Solar Return 46: Threadbare Elegy”
Learn from the Enlightenment My Pain Caused Me (Or How Pain Is the Enlightenment)
I wrote this post a year ago, but the words necessary to appropriately convey it took a lot longer to set in. I used to struggle with anxiety, especially around the holidays. Not the run-of-the-mill holiday stress—this was the kind of anxiety that wrapped itself around my chest, whispering, “Someone’s going to die. Something terribleContinueContinue reading “Learn from the Enlightenment My Pain Caused Me (Or How Pain Is the Enlightenment)”
From Pain to Purpose: How Faith, Integrity, and Gratitude Transformed My Trauma into Growth
What if the greatest tragedies of your life were actually the catalysts for your transformation? What if faith, honesty, and gratitude could take you from the depths of despair to a life filled with purpose and peace? I’ve lived through my fair share of pain—loss, caregiving, exhaustion, and moments of doubt so deep I almostContinueContinue reading “From Pain to Purpose: How Faith, Integrity, and Gratitude Transformed My Trauma into Growth”
Lay it down.
The Weight We Carry What are you holding onto, and why? Are you carrying the burden of proving your point to someone who isn’t even paying attention? Are you weighed down by grudges, betrayals, or the need to justify yourself? The truth is, holding onto these things doesn’t serve you. It hinders your growth, blocksContinueContinue reading “Lay it down.”
Grief in the Glitter: Embracing Loss, Honoring Love, and Finding Hope in the Holidays
The holidays can be complicated, especially when grief is part of the equation. As I step into this Christmas season, I’ve been reflecting on how far I’ve come in my own journey with loss and how that journey has shaped my relationship with this time of year. I know I’m not alone in this—so manyContinueContinue reading “Grief in the Glitter: Embracing Loss, Honoring Love, and Finding Hope in the Holidays”
Natalie Trayling: The Soulful Symphony of Living for Purpose
Recently, while planning posts for the Twin Tree Project, we clicked play on one of YouTube’s “recommended for you” music playlists. A few songs in, a particular piece of music captured our attention. The playlist played softly in the background, but as this piece built in intensity, it felt as though the loving energy ofContinueContinue reading “Natalie Trayling: The Soulful Symphony of Living for Purpose”
What Lies Beneath: The Truth About Loss, Resilience, and Freedom
As more death—I use that term from the perspective of energetic transition, whether physical, metaphorical, or societal—continues to challenge us all, I have been met with some interesting thought processes by those around me. There is a tendency, I’ve noticed, for people to cling to the idea of positivity, as though maintaining a relentless focusContinueContinue reading “What Lies Beneath: The Truth About Loss, Resilience, and Freedom”
I’ve Written a Book, and You Can Download It for Free!
I’m so excited to announce the release of my book, The Twin Tree Philosophy! This book is the culmination of a deeply personal journey—a philosophy born out of both profound loss and transformative growth. The Twin Tree Philosophy invites readers to find balance between resilience and vulnerability, stability and growth. It’s about living deeply rootedContinueContinue reading “I’ve Written a Book, and You Can Download It for Free!”
Twin Tree Project 