Journeys Through Grief

03/25/2026

03/24/2026

Loss is disorienting. After a loss, we can forget in the fog of grief that our days and nights have been upended. Nothing feels normal, right, or familiar anymore and often we can struggle to find ways to stay connected to those we’ve lost in this disorientation. Let this quote from Helen Keller be an anchor for you.

03/19/2026

Today marks the final day of Ramadan, a time within the Muslim tradition to reflect, pray, serve, avoid negative behaviors, fast, and break the fast by gathering with community in the early morning and late at night. I appreciate how Ramadan allows space for both personal and communal reflection. We need both, even more so when our resources feel challenged in the wake of loss.

03/17/2026

Today is St. Patrick’s Day and for many it is a religious and cultural holiday. St. Patrick is known for using the three-leaf clover to explain the mystery of the theology of the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit-Three in One) in the Christian tradition.

I think the mystery of the relationship between Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is hard to understand, yet important for us, especially in times of sorrow. At its most basic Trinity is a representation of love, intimacy, trust, and mutuality.

The relational dynamic demonstrates the power of community that is committed to one another’s good while sharing the love they have with others in an act of solidarity. With-ness, if you will. And, don’t we all need to know with-ness in grief? We need to know we are not alone in our suffering and sorrow. We need the presence of another person to get us through. Not with words or fixing or advising but presence that communicates “I am with you.” May each of you know that presence today.

03/12/2026

03/10/2026

03/05/2026

Before my dad passed, I took a picture of our clasped hands. I wanted to remember the hands that protected, comforted, and taught me so much about how to live in this world. With his hands he taught me how to tie my shoes, change a light bulb, cook spaghetti, change the storm windows, mow a lawn, and so much more. His hands held mine when life wasn’t fair and when life was filled with joy. This is a picture of us that I treasure. Do you have one that has special meaning to you? Please share the comments below.

03/03/2026

March is . I have shared a quote below from one of the most amazing women of recent history. Who is a woman who has made an impact in your life?

02/27/2026

Hello Journeys family! On Wednesday evening, we went live on Facebook….. or at least we tried to. Technology was not on our side, and we are sorry to those of you who were anticipating a live broadcast. Instead, we posted the “live” content as a reel so that you could still interact with it. Thank you for your understanding.

One of the things I shared was that nature is soothing in its ability to reconnect us with ourselves and remind us of our need for each other. Here is a quote from Rachel Carson I am fond of- I hope it inspires you today and brings you peace even in sorrow.

02/24/2026

Sometimes death comes by degrees. Our loved one is still with us, but we lose them one moment at a time to horrible diseases that rob them of memory, mobility, wellness, and time. We grieve while they are still with us and we grieve when they have departed this life for the next. It is a long, painful journey.

In her book, Black Liturgies, Cole Arthur Riley offers us these words:

“I cannot write to you in good faith claiming beauty in death without honoring that death also steals something from us. To lose someone is to lose a world…The familiar becomes strange…Death hurts. We don’t have to pretend otherwise.” Pg. 193-194

Be patient with yourself today.

02/19/2026

Our life story holds many experiences that shape the way we process loss. Factors like family dynamics, the quality of our relationships, how we make sense of loss, the impact of trauma, the interpretations we make from observing others’ emotions, and the like all collide within us to form our response to loss. Sometimes, as with disenfranchised grief, we are left with nowhere to turn when this collision takes place. Nowhere we feel seen and heard. The feeling of isolation can be overwhelming, only compounding our grief and making it more challenging to process.

It’s , the day we set aside on Journeys to hold space for each other’s experiences. This is a place to feel seen and heard. I invite you to share in the comments one word or short phrase that describes where you are on your grief journey today.

My word is longing.