It's been 11 years since Aubrey and Ellie died. Because I've spent more than a decade writing transparently about the reality of grief and healing, I am often asked to speak about my journey. I've done hundreds of talks ranging from sharing the details of my personal story to deeper topics like … [Read more...]
Lesson 10: Healing is Private, Not Secret
Healing is Private, Not Secret I am pretty transparent about my healing journey yet there are parts of it I choose not to make public. Privacy is an important part of the healing process. Although I keep some details private, I no longer keep anything secret. Secrets harm. I kept secrets for a long … [Read more...]
Lesson 9: Healing is Not Betrayal
Healing is Not Betrayal In the beginning, my love for Aubrey and Ellie was reflected in my pain. All you had to do was take one look at my tear-covered face and it was clear how much those little girls meant to me. As I made progress in my healing something strange started to happen; healing … [Read more...]
Lesson 8: Alcohol Stifles Healing
Alcohol Stifles Healing After Aubrey and Ellie died I felt for the first time the kind of pain that would make someone want to put a needle in their arm. Although I didn't, I certainly found other ways to numb the hurt. One of those ways was to drink. Alcohol is highly effective at stifling pain, … [Read more...]
Lesson 7: Forgiveness is Essential
Forgiveness is Essential Learning to forgive has been the hardest part of my healing journey. The wounds inflicted by cold and unsupportive loved ones cut deep. I resisted forgiveness for a long time because I misunderstood it. I thought it meant giving the harmful people in my life a pass and … [Read more...]