The journey of grief takes us inevitably through “the valley of the shadow of death” (Psalm 23:4 RSV). We emerge at last from the darkness of grief into the light of new life, our soul restored through the loving care of God’s infinite grace.

When the careful restoration of our life is at last complete, our grief becomes a precious part of the infrastructure of who we are.

As our grief slowly moves beyond the pain of loss and loneliness, often we ask ourselves, “Will I ever be happy again?”

When we grieve, somewhere deep within we long to soar again.

God is perfect. God is faithful. God’s perfect faithfulness is our one true guide through the valley of the shadow of death.

What is it about grief that seems so at odds with the notion of recovery?

If we're experiencing a kind of mental, emotional, or spiritual inertia, we may be temporarily stuck in our grief.

When our heartbreak comes from a love that's pure, true, and untarnished, putting the pieces of our life back together is a labor of love, the work of grief that honors the love we shared with the one now lost to us in death.

When we grieve, really what we're seeking is the light that inspires our glow.

There are no seasonal "grief rules".

If this is the first holiday without your loved one, it's important to make a plan and structure the season accordingly.

Because of the rapid succession of holidays now upon us – Hanukkah, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year - November and December may feel like unending days of prolonged remembrance.