Here you will find logistics and stories about the Grief Heart Project and personal reflections about my journey with grief since losing my Daughter Jessica F17 in a car accident.
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Moving Into the Second Year Without Jess
I am moving into the second year without Jess, and grief feels different now. I suppose the shock has worn off. There is no longer that moment of sudden disbelief that she is gone. Instead, there’s a steady, familiar ache.…
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The Grief Heart: A Simple Way to Signal “I’m Remembering”
When someone you love dies, it can be hard to know how — or when — to talk about them. Many friends want to be supportive but aren’t sure what to say. Sometimes they stay silent, worried they’ll make things…
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Do We Push People Away By Remembering Out Loud?
Since my daughter Jess died, I have been finding ways to keep her present. I tell stories. I make little #JessInspired games. I invite friends into playful or tender moments that carry her name. For me, these things feel restorative…
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The Ache of Forgetting
This sweatshirt caught me off guard. I loved it instantly: a frog with a sword, wearing a cape, shouting Huzzah! But what undid me was what came after. Memory. I had forgotten that Jess loved the word Huzzah. In the…
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The Paradox of Grief
Stephen Colbert’s words echo what the Grief Heart Project is all about Every once in a while, I stumble across words that feel like they were written just for me. This quote from Stephen Colbert was one of those moments.…
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Love After Loss: Kafka, a Mother, and the Grief Heart
There’s a story people often tell about Franz Kafka. It didn’t come from one of his famous books, but from something he did in real life. He came across a little girl who was heartbroken because she had lost her…
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Then She Was Gone
I sat down to share a few thoughts and began searching for a photo, unsure if anything would be right. Then I found this previously unnoticed one, so fitting it felt almost prophetic. Leave it to Jess. If this little…
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Beyond a Day
Why the Grief Heart Project Is Everyday Grief Awareness I only just learned there’s a National Grief Awareness Day—and honestly, I’m glad it exists. Its purpose is brave and straightforward: to encourage honest conversations about grief, a topic many of…
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Back to School
All the back to school pics are definitely hard. Jess would be moving into her dorm this week. This pic is one from last year (She is in the middle). Senior year, so full of promise. She had strong armed…
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Join us!
How to join #WearYourHeartWednesday This week or any week! Joining in is simple and meaningful. Step 1: Wear or share a heart. A pin, a sticker, or the free printable works perfectly. Step 2: Post a photo on Wednesday. Add…
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