Losing a spouse or partner changes so much. Grief is only part of the journey. Everyday decisions, new responsibilities, and important milestones can feel different when you’re navigating life without the person you expected to share it with.
I’ve been there.
In 2016, I lost my husband, Mike, unexpectedly in a car accident. Our children were just nine and six. In the years since, I’ve learned that moving forward doesn’t mean moving on; it means learning how to live again alongside your grief. And, eventually, discovering that life can hold happiness, purpose, connection, and even joy again. That’s why I created Moving Forward, a one-on-one peer mentoring program that combines my lived experience with specialized grief coaching training to support others navigating life after loss. It is not therapy, counseling, or mental health treatment. I’m here as someone who has walked this road.
I’ll share my experiences—the good, the bad, the incredibly difficult, and the unexpectedly wonderful. I’ll tell you what I wish someone had told me during those early years. I’ll share what helped me, what didn’t, the mistakes I made, and the things I eventually learned along the way.
Most importantly, I’ll share something I didn’t believe was possible in the beginning:
There can be a good life after loss.
Not the same life.
Not the life you planned.
But a good life.
Finding Growth Alongside Grief
For a long time, I thought the goal was to survive. But over time, I began to recognize something else happening. Along with the pain, I was developing new strengths, interests, and hobbies, and discovering a deeper sense of purpose.
I experienced what is often described as post-traumatic growth, positive personal changes that can emerge after experiencing a profoundly difficult event. Creating The MRP Project is one example. What began with my own experience of loss ultimately became a nonprofit dedicated to providing hope through social support.
Everyone experiences grief differently, and there’s no expectation that something positive must come from loss. I want to share my story and offer hope for what’s possible moving forward.
What Mentoring Might Look Like
Everyone’s experience with loss is different. So, our conversations will be shaped around you.
We might talk about:
- What the first year is really like
- The things people don’t tell you about grief
- Parenting after the loss of a spouse
- Making decisions on your own
- Navigating holidays, birthdays, and milestones
- Friendships and relationships after loss
- Finding your identity again
- Returning to work or finding a new purpose
- Handling the inevitable good days and the really bad ones
- Allowing yourself to experience happiness without guilt
- Finding meaning after loss
- Building a new life while still honoring the person you lost
- Recognizing your own strength
- And, ultimately, discovering what moving forward can look like for you
Sometimes you may want to talk. Sometimes you may need someone to listen. Sometimes you may want validation and to hear, “Yes. I went through that, too.”
Meet However You’re Most Comfortable
Mentoring sessions can take place:
- In person. For those who prefer a face-to-face conversation.
- By phone. Sometimes talking from the comfort of your own home is easier.
- By Zoom. A convenient option no matter where you live.
The format is flexible. The sessions are scheduled for one hour and the cost is $50 per session. Session fees support The MRP Project and our programs.
If you’d like to learn more about , I’d love to hear from you.
Ready to Talk? If you think Moving Forward Mentoring is right for you, schedule an appointment here. Or if you’d like more information, email me at mrp8project@gmail.com
Moving Forward is a peer mentoring program and is not therapy, counseling, medical care, or a substitute for mental services. Peer mentoring does not include diagnosis or treatment of mental health conditions. If you are experiencing significant emotional distress, are concerned for your safety, or need clinical support, please contact a qualified mental health professional or appropriate crisis resource.