I'm not a grief expert, but I can say that I've experienced grief, dealt with it, and moved beyond it. My introduction to grief began at a young age with my mother's initial hospitalization. It continued off and on for eleven years before she finally died from cancer. I was eighteen; she was thirty-five. That, more than any other loss that I have suffered, has shaped me into who I am. My mother's illness and death were my introduction to grief, but unfortunately, that was not the final chapter.

My story includes the loss of some family members and one tragic relationship. Each loss affected me differently and my response to grief changed over time. There were some very challenging times in my life, but by the grace of God I grew stronger in Christ and I survived.

I have included scriptures that, as a pastor, I believe will bring comfort to those who are grieving. While we all need to learn how to deal with grief, none of us need to remain in a state of grief. I don't have an exact formula (I don't believe one exists), but I am sharing my story, and I pray that it helps someone.