?? Daisy Petals, Red Hearts & Heartbreak ??

?? Daisy Petals, Red Hearts & Heartbreak ??

I remember as a kid sitting outside on recess breaks with my girlfriends, nestled together in the grassy field beside our school, squealing with excitement and anticipation as we pulled petals off the daisies one by one.

?? “He Loves Me. He Loves Me Not.” ??

OOOOHHHH!!! ?How we hoped we would land on “He Loves Me” ??

And if we didn’t, we would do a do-over until we did ??

Wouldn’t it be cool to be able to do a do-over when it comes to your grief?

To go back in time and magically change the outcome?

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A marriage that didn’t end in divorce.

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A child who survived their cancer treatments.

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A parent who didn’t use you as a punching bag during their alcoholic rages.

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A best friend who didn’t move across the country and lose touch.

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A spouse who didn’t suffer from Alzheimer’s.

But we can’t go back.

There is no do-over.

Life happens and it can really suck sometimes.

And when we are still living our grief, emotionally processing our life experiences, and trying to make sense of our own crazy world, it can get even harder & more painful when the entire world around us is celebrating LOVE ??

Because our grief is born out of love - for ourselves and for others - and it is a deep reflection of what we have lost.

??????

Valentine’s Day is everywhere right now…

?? Bouquets of roses in every store

?? Heart-shaped EVERYTHING (including those fiery red heart candies)

?? Cards of Gushing Love on huge display

?? Hallmark Valentine’s Day Movies on repeat

?? “Two Can Dine” Restaurant Promos at every corner

All parading by us as an endless reminder of what we no longer have in our lives.

We can try to ignore it and pretend that we don’t see it, but we do.

We can’t help but be smacked right in the forehead with it.

And it freakin’ HURTS!!

Let it hurt.

Let the pain be there.

Let yourself move through the emotions.

They are there for a reason.

They are there because you loved.

Grief doesn’t mean that love is gone.

If anything, it’s proof that it existed so deeply that its absence is felt in every heartbeat.

Grief and love are forever intertwined.

You grieve because you loved.

And that love doesn’t disappear - it grows, shifts, and lives on in you.

So, however you show up this Valentine’s Day - whether you’re hiding under the covers, surrounded by friends, or somewhere in between…

It’s okay.

You’re doing just fine.

Show yourself the same compassion you would show your best friend.

YOU are worth it!

M. xo

P.S. If you are struggling to move forward after grief, and are ready to start taking those steps, I am here to support you. ?Book a short call - reach out via message or email - [email protected] and let’s explore what that support might look like.