SHARING EXPERIENCES OF LOSS THROUGH OUR STORIES
Exploring the Many Obstacles of Living After Loss
Through the loss of my wife to cancer, I’ve come to understand the most valuable asset my family and friends possess is the ability to lift me up when I’ve needed it most with the simplest of gestures. There is no perfect formula to help someone grieve. Being there, listening, and providing a slice of normal is often exactly what is needed. In addition, it’s hard for some people to know and understand what their grieving friend is experiencing every day. The most difficult task for those on the outside is understanding that many facets of loss are present almost every single day.
This podcast and blog exist to better help us understand the process of loss with the help of those who are living it.
JOURNEY TO GRATEFUL PODCAST
A Podcast Which Truly Speaks from the Heart
Created out of a need to share my story of loss, along with others, in hopes to educate those around us of grief’s daily reminders in our lives. With a hope to support each other with comfort & community through our experiences. Join me and my gracious contributors as we open our hearts and tell of our process through loss.
Facing the One-Year Anniversary of Our Loss
(July 2021) As we approached that daunting date on the calendar, we knew one thing… we needed to be somewhere else. A place where memories of my wife would come easily – tears, of course, would follow – but a place that meant something to us all. We needed to be close to each other and close to those moments in our past where smiles and laughter flowed as easily as our tears do now. We needed to be in our – in her – Happy Place.
“ONCE EVERYONE LEAVES AND THE NEW-NORMAL SETS IN, THE LONELINESS CAN BE OVERWHELMING”
The Journey to Grateful bi-monthly newsletter will provide inspiration, updates, blog insights, and podcast highlights directly in your inbox. Journey to Grateful offers support and guidance for your journey through loss or help to guide those trying to better support someone who is.
THE JOURNEY TO GRATEFUL BLOG
Our Stories, Our Experiences
Mother’s Heart
Mother's Heart Oh life within me You expand my body and my spirit I feel your kicks Your movements ripple waves across me physically and emotionally I feel you and I already love you Oh babe at
Carrying on a Legacy, An Albatross or a Fire?
He taught me, through example… he passed a legacy to me I am aware of the self-doubt talking at those times and push through that by hearing his voice in my ear, "Tacey, the world needs this
The Holiday Blues: Dealing with Grief This Season
The holiday season is a tough time of year for many people, but it can be particularly difficult for those who are grieving. Grief is an individual experience that's different for everyone. Grieving the death of someone
With the help of our contributors, each week we will add their stories, their guidance, and their experience with grief.
“JOURNEY TO GRATEFUL”… THE WHY
The Story Behind the Name
Soon after my wife, Colleen was first diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2017, she began to ask herself “why”. She quickly settled on the idea that through her story she could possibly help someone. Whether it be explaining her specific treatment options to help a new patient navigate their new normal, or encouraging others to ask questions when their body tells them something different than a doctor might have suggested. She felt her purpose was to help others in whatever way she could with her new-found knowledge of her current journey. While navigating this new path, she adopted a few inspiring mantras to help lift her up, one of which she found on a pillow. Placed on our bed from early on, “grateful” reminded her to sit back and take the time to appreciate all that was her life, before and since her diagnosis. Her family and friends, her strengths and weaknesses, and above all her children & the life she built for them… for us.
Journey to Grateful is a way for us to do what Colleen tried in 3 short years, help others. Her why and her inspiration live on.
“JOURNEY TO GRATEFUL”… THE WHY
The Story Behind the Name
Soon after my wife, Colleen was first diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2017, she began to ask herself “why”. She quickly settled on the idea that through her story she could possibly help someone. Whether it be explaining her specific treatment options to help a new patient navigate their new normal, or encouraging others to ask questions when their body tells them something different than a doctor might have suggested. She felt her purpose was to help others in whatever way she could with her new-found knowledge of her current journey. While navigating this new path, she adopted a few inspiring mantras to help lift her up, one of which she found on a pillow. Placed on our bed from early on, “grateful” reminded her to sit back and take the time to appreciate all that was her life, before and since her diagnosis. Her family and friends, her strengths and weaknesses, and above all her children & the life she built for them… for us.