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Grief Looks Like Me: A Personal Journey Through Loss
- Minnina Smith
- Mar 13, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 23, 2024
Grief. It's a word that carries a weight, a heaviness that can't quite be put into words. And yet, grief at different times in my life looked like me. Yes, me. We've all experienced loss in one form or another, and grief doesn't discriminate—it can come crashing down on us like a tidal wave, leaving us feeling lost and alone.
For me, grief first reared its head when I lost someone very dear to me: my mother. She battled breast cancer bravely, but in the end, she was taken from us far too soon. I was just 16 at the time, and I didn't have the words to express the depth of my pain. How could I? I was still a child, grappling with emotions too big for my young heart to bear.
Years passed, and the pain of her loss lingered, sometimes festering in unhealthy ways. My siblings and I, all four of us, were left to navigate the murky waters of grief on our own. But as I grew older, I realized that healing was possible—even necessary. My mother would want us to live our lives fully, even in her absence.
Life, however, had other plans. Loss came knocking again and again, each time leaving a fresh wound in its wake. Whether it was family, friends, or comrades I served with in the military, grief became a familiar companion, lurking in the shadows, waiting to pounce.
And then, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I lost my father. This time, I thought I had the tools to handle it—I thought I was prepared. But grief has a way of blindsiding you when you least expect it. It was then that I realized I needed help. I sought out a therapist, and she became my lifeline, guiding me through the darkest days of my grief.
It's because of this journey, this rollercoaster of emotions, that I've added grief coaching and a support group to choose from. I want to be there for others who are navigating the stormy seas of grief, offering them support and guidance as they find their way through the darkness.
So, if you find yourself lost in the maze of grief, know that you're not alone. There is no right or wrong way to grieve, no timeline to follow. But there is hope. And there is healing. And I'm here to help you find your way back to the light. Reach out to me, and together, we'll navigate this journey of grief, one step at a time.
Minnina Smith
Coach | Mentor | Writer | Author | Leadership Development
"Healing is not just about mending the past; it’s about growing through the pain and emerging stronger, with a renewed sense of purpose." - M. Smith
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