Healing with Grief

Grief and Joy can coexist

According to the Mayo Clinic, these are the most common symptoms of grief: strong feelings of sadness or sorrow; inability to focus; lack of trust; feelings of loss of purpose or intention in life; consuming thoughts of that which you lost; and denial of your loss. These are triggers.

I believe there can also be glimmers: joy, happiness, and excitement.

Photo by Lauren Jansen

Guided Healing

1:1 Grief Sharing Experience

The journey of grief is universal, yet so much of it is unique. We are all in relationships and at different times in our lives. Each of us feels emotions and expresses grief in our own way. Sharing what you’re experiencing can normalize it and allow you to be seen and heard.

Allow me to be a witness to your loss, your healing and to meet your loved one in a 1:1 time with you.

Triggers and Glimmers

A healing email series

A 9-week email series dedicated to writing prompts and activities related to your loved one, grief, healing, and memories. The focus will be on both the triggers and the glimmers. Triggers can bring up sadness and anger. Glimmers can bring up a smile and a moment of joy. These are activities and prompts I used when my husband passed away and I was looking for ways to heal and find joy.

Heartfelt Healing

A Guided Journaling Experience

Losing a partner is one of life's most profound challenges, and navigating the grief journey can feel overwhelming and isolating. Through this guided journaling experience, you'll connect with your partner or spouse while learning about the grief journey and moving forward.

This is a 12 week email program.

The Healing Corner

Tools and Resources

Everyone will grieve the loss of a loved one at some point. If you love, you will grieve. But you can also heal and experience joy. Learn about tools and resources that helped me realize that grief and joy coexist and that it is okay to move forward.

Access to a collection of resources, prompts, and journaling activities.

Photo by Lauren Jansen

“Allow me to hold space for you to share about your loved one and your grief journey. We will connect because we are all on the journey of grief and healing together if we have loved and lost someone.

Through sharing what I have learned and experienced, I hope to let you see how I believe that grief and joy coexist. I want you to understand there is a path to leave the feeling of grieving, to be able to experience both moments of grief and joy, to see the triggers and glimmers, and to focus on healing this new version of you as you move forward.

I lost my best friend at the age of 35 and my husband at the age of 42. I have lost my grandparents, aunts and uncles, a young cousin, and friends. I am now a widow in a committed relationship. I chose to retire from teaching to share my grief and healing journey with others so no one has to feel alone.

I believe you are loved and watched over.”

- Emilie

Grab a Book Before You Go

My published works are available on Amazon

It’s Okay to Be Okay; Finding Joy Through Grief

  • After unexpectedly losing my husband, I journaled to connect with my faith and to understand why God allowed this to happen. We had been married for over twenty years and were raising three teenage boys together. I wasn't sure how to get up daily; how to grieve while my children and family were also grieving; how to run a house; and to work a full-time job. Through a lot of prayers, scripture, meditating and writing, I found joy and acceptance of God's plan. I have discovered that I am stronger than I thought. I have learned to be a widow and a single parent. I hope to encourage others to find peace, joy, and happiness while grieving the loss of a loved one.

It’s Okay to Love Again

  • After losing my husband unexpectedly, I learned a lot. I learned about the difference between grief and grieving. I learned how to find laughter, feel joy, and experience peace. I learned about the love we shared and how that was never going to end. I learned how to be a widow and a single mom. I learned about my self-confidence and how to listen to my heart. But I also had a lot of questions. I spent time writing in a journal and communicating with friends all through the process of finding the answers. This is my story. This is my journey of learning to love again after losing the love of my life. This tells of how my heart grew a new space. I have not forgotten. I still have moments of grief. I am still learning and questioning.

My Spouse Died. Now What?: A Record Keeping Tool

  • Your spouse has passed away. Your brain may be struggling to keep track of all of the information coming in and knowing what information to provide to whom. You might not even know where to start. I have been there. I was blessed to have others help me get started.
    When my husband unexpectantly passed away, I kept a small yellow pocket-sized notebook to remember whom I had called, who needed a copy of the death certificate, and when I mailed forms to companies. Without this notebook, I would not have been able to keep track as sometimes it took multiple calls to different people, and there were weeks between contacts. I wanted more than a checklist found online.
    This tool was created to help you have a spot to keep track of the companies you contact and the information they need or provide to you. It can be used for other loved ones as well, but the notes are related to my experience of losing my spouse.