Grief. It’s impossible to avoid and at times, it’s impossible to describe. And society will pressure you to get over it and get to the other side of a mountain that feels impossible to climb.

But here’s the thing. You won’t completely get over it. And that mountain looming in front of you every day is not something you will master and climb. Grief isn’t a mountain to climb nor will you reach the top in victory and slide with ease down the other side.

It doesn’t work that way.

Grief becomes part of who you are and instead of stepping around it, climbing over it or completely avoiding it, you will carry it with you for the rest of your life.

With that being said, you can take small steps and make short climbs upward. Some days you will gain momentum and as you inch closer to the top, new perspectives will drift in and the views can change.

Then there will be those days when you end up back at the bottom and feel like you’ve made no progress at all. Days when everything feels and looks the same. Days when climbing anywhere feels impossible and the grief is too heavy to bear.

Grief ebbs and flows. It rises and falls. And it shifts and changes over time.

Eventually, you won’t slide back down to the bottom as often and if you do, you won’t stay there for as long.

Grief will always remain and you will always carry it with you regardless of how much time goes by. But it will soften and it won’t always feel as heavy as it does right now.

It’s not a mountain to master or climb. Grief just is and while society will push to to climb up and over grief to reach the other side and move on, it’s important that you remember your grief is here for a reason.

You’re grieving because something or someone mattered and it’s okay to always hold grief in your heart.

For every step you take and every attempt to climb up and forward, I’m proud of you.

For every day you get up and try, I’m proud of you.

You may not always feel like it, but you’re a warrior and I hope you know how much you’re loved.

I see your grief and I know how hard it can be. You’re not completely alone and I’m here for you. Always.

With love -

Michele