Grief Guides

Every grief journey is as unique as the person we are grieving. Over time, each of us discovers what helps us survive and move through the days. These are some of the little and big things that supported me in the earliest seasons of loss. I share them not as a checklist or cure (because there is no cure for grief) but as a framework you can borrow from as you find your own ways to move forward.

Pain was never the proof of my love. Love was. Connection didn’t disappear when the ache softened—it expanded. William is with me in snacks and laundry, in candlelight and color, in words written and hands held, in every place where love found a new way to live. And I am learning—slowly, tenderly—that staying connected does not require me to keep breaking.

These prompts are meant to help you grow more comfortable with the idea of writing to your person. When I began, I pictured my son William curled up in front of a roaring fire, reading the letters I wrote to him. That image gave me a way in. These prompts are just a starting point. Follow them if they help, but more importantly, write whatever you need. Let the words lead you down the paths your grief wants you to explore.

This essay offers practical, real-world guidance for those who want to show up when someone they love is grieving. If you’re in the depths of loss, you can share it with friends to help them understand what you need. And if you’re the friend, these are useful, honest tips you can start practicing today to offer real comfort and presence.

After losing my son in a ski accident, I see the mountain differently. This is what I wish I knew—and what every family deserves to understand about ski safety.

There are more options than you think when a child dies. This resource offers gentle guidance, real experience, and the things no one tells you—but should.