{"id":379763,"date":"2015-04-20T11:18:28","date_gmt":"2015-04-20T11:18:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.annahelizabeth.com\/index.php\/2015\/04\/20\/growing-glowing-in-grief\/"},"modified":"2015-04-20T11:18:28","modified_gmt":"2015-04-20T11:18:28","slug":"growing-glowing-in-grief","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging.annahelizabeth.com\/index.php\/2015\/04\/20\/growing-glowing-in-grief\/","title":{"rendered":"Growing &#038; Glowing in Grief"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Happy Sunday, Journeyer!<\/p>\n<p>Wow&#8230;just wow&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>Warren and I are heading home from the first National Grief and Hope Convention.<\/p>\n<p>Words cannot effectively express the amount of growth and healing that occurred in those Grand Ballrooms.<\/p>\n<p>I am exhausted, energized, overjoyed, and overwhelmed&#8230;all at the same time!<\/p>\n<p>I met so many grief neighbors and healing allies that to list them all would be impossible.<\/p>\n<p>But there are a few special bonds that moved me in undeniable ways&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>One of the first attendees I met was Cindy, a bereaved mother who drove three hours in search of herself and hope&#8230;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/annahelizabeth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Warren-Cindy-and-Me-e1715648334451.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-4754 size-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/annahelizabeth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Warren-Cindy-and-Me-e1715648334451-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;For the first time since Emmy&#8217;s death I know that I&#8217;m going to be okay,&#8221; she said to Warren and me yesterday.<\/p>\n<p>The glowing smile and the gleam in her eyes were testament to those words, Journeyer.<\/p>\n<p>Hope.<\/p>\n<p>There were Sherry and Joe&#8230;the work they have done since their daughter and her unborn baby were murdered&#8230;I&#8217;m inspired by their courage to stand strong together, to uphold Alisha&#8217;s memory and to carry on her message that &#8220;I can choose to be happy or I can choose to be sad. I choose to be happy.&#8221; Find out more or support them at the <a title=\"The Purple Project\" href=\"http:\/\/www.purpleproject.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Purple Project<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>And there was Tammy, a California grief coach who attended the convention as a way of helping her clients and an effort to rejuvenate and grow in the face of a recent tragedy so close to home. Find out more about her work <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"http:\/\/trustlifecoaching.vpweb.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to meeting these incredibly brave and compassionate attendees, I had the great privilege of meeting other courageous allies who have faced devastation and decided to grow in their grief by helping others.<\/p>\n<p>I am so honored to make these connections, Journeyer, and look forward to continued conversations and hopefully a little collaboration.<\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;re in need of some healing, check out these sites!<\/p>\n<p>Tanya Lord from <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" title=\"The Grief Toolbox\" href=\"http:\/\/thegrieftoolbox.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Grief Toolbox<\/a> <\/span>is as gentle as she is ambitious. After losing her son following a routine tonsillectomy, she went back to school to study, learn, and then go on to become a national-level, health care collaborator and patient advocate (as accurately as I remember.)  Her conference sidekick, Linda, was equally delightful.<\/p>\n<p>Terry Murphy has created something phenomenal in helping children deal with grief. <a title=\"The Healing Chickadee\" href=\"http:\/\/www.thehealingchickadee.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Healing Chickadee<\/a> brings adventures to a child&#8217;s mailbox, a package that includes an Audubon bird replica that is accompanied with stories and activities that help with bereavement. AMAZING!<\/p>\n<p>Warren and I enjoyed getting to know Carol Scibelli, an author and speaker who knows how to find the lighter side of loss. <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" title=\"Poor Widow Me\" href=\"http:\/\/carolscibelli.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Find out more and check out her book <em>Poor Widow Me<\/em><\/a><\/span>!<\/p>\n<p>There&#8217;s Becky and her girls who came up with the <a title=\"Grief Wear\" href=\"http:\/\/www.mygriefwear.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Grief Wear<\/span><\/a> clothing line to send a subtle message to others that you might not be having a good day. What a tribute to the memory of her late husband.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/annahelizabeth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Becky-from-Grief-Wear.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-4755\" src=\"https:\/\/annahelizabeth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Becky-from-Grief-Wear-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"Becky from Grief Wear\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staging.annahelizabeth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Becky-from-Grief-Wear-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/staging.annahelizabeth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Becky-from-Grief-Wear.jpg 288w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_4757\" style=\"width: 237px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/annahelizabeth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Grief-Wear-Logo.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4757\" class=\"wp-image-4757\" src=\"https:\/\/annahelizabeth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Grief-Wear-Logo-300x289.jpg\" alt=\"Grief Wear Logo\" width=\"227\" height=\"218\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staging.annahelizabeth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Grief-Wear-Logo-300x289.jpg 300w, https:\/\/staging.annahelizabeth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Grief-Wear-Logo.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 227px) 100vw, 227px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-4757\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">One of Becky&#8217;s Daughters Designed this Logo!<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Other authors, speakers, and coaches include <a href=\"http:\/\/sandyrosen.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sandy Oshiro Rosen<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.debralmorrison.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Debra Mo<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.debralmorrison.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">rrison<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ouch-its-grief.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">JoAnnMichalik<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.robynlreynolds.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Robyn Reynolds<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/marypotterkenyon.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mary Potter Kenyon<\/a>, and another subtle product to identify grievers <a href=\"http:\/\/www.grievingtogether.ca\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Grieving Together<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The following presenters moved me in different ways. <a href=\"http:\/\/trayvonmartinfoundation.org\">Sybrina Fulton<\/a>, singer\/song writer <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"http:\/\/bethnielsenchapman.com\/\">Beth Nielson Chapman<\/a><\/span>, counselor\/speaker\/author <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.tanyabrown.net\/\">Tanya Brown<\/a> <span style=\"color: #000000;\">who has such a healing spirit and is also SO approachable, and last but certainly not least was one of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr&#8217;s daughters, Dr. Bernice King. Dr. King is so full of grace and honesty; it was such an honor&#8230;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/annahelizabeth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Tanya-Brown-and-Me.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-4758\" src=\"https:\/\/annahelizabeth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Tanya-Brown-and-Me-293x300.jpg\" alt=\"Tanya Brown and Me\" width=\"293\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staging.annahelizabeth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Tanya-Brown-and-Me-293x300.jpg 293w, https:\/\/staging.annahelizabeth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Tanya-Brown-and-Me.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 293px) 100vw, 293px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/annahelizabeth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Dr.-Bernice-King-and-Me.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-4756\" src=\"https:\/\/annahelizabeth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Dr.-Bernice-King-and-Me-300x259.jpg\" alt=\"Dr. Bernice King and Me\" width=\"295\" height=\"255\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staging.annahelizabeth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Dr.-Bernice-King-and-Me-300x259.jpg 300w, https:\/\/staging.annahelizabeth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Dr.-Bernice-King-and-Me.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 295px) 100vw, 295px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>There were other fabulous speakers and exhibitors but these are the ones with whom I connected over the weekend.<\/p>\n<p>Journeyer, even in the midst of some of life&#8217;s excruciating stories were signs of hope and healing. The three day convention brought a few tears, signs of growth, and many smiles that reflected the spirit of togetherness and compassion that was so prevalent.<\/p>\n<p>A special thanks to Lynda Cheldelin Fell for her vision, her husband Jamie Fell for supporting her, and Angie Cartwright for her efforts in bringing this event together.<\/p>\n<p>Even in a grief convention, happy happens, Journeyer, moments of warmth, comfort, connection, laughter, and light&#8230;  You know what I say: Together we can help heal a world of hurt&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>What about you, Journeyer? What moments brought you a smile or warmed your heart last week? Please share with us and spread a little joy!<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"On Saying Goodbye\" href=\"http:\/\/annahelizabeth.com2013\/06\/on-saying-goodbye\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-4724 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/annahelizabeth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Blog-Post-Signature-Sign-Off-300x137.jpg\" alt=\"Blog Post Signature &#038; Sign Off\" width=\"300\" height=\"137\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staging.annahelizabeth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Blog-Post-Signature-Sign-Off-300x137.jpg 300w, https:\/\/staging.annahelizabeth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Blog-Post-Signature-Sign-Off-1024x466.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/staging.annahelizabeth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Blog-Post-Signature-Sign-Off-768x350.jpg 768w, https:\/\/staging.annahelizabeth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Blog-Post-Signature-Sign-Off-1080x492.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/staging.annahelizabeth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Blog-Post-Signature-Sign-Off-980x446.jpg 980w, https:\/\/staging.annahelizabeth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Blog-Post-Signature-Sign-Off-480x219.jpg 480w, https:\/\/staging.annahelizabeth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Blog-Post-Signature-Sign-Off.jpg 1243w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Happy Sunday, Journeyer! Wow&#8230;just wow&#8230; Warren and I are heading home from the first National Grief and Hope Convention. Words cannot effectively express the amount of growth and healing that occurred in those Grand Ballrooms. I am exhausted, energized, overjoyed, and overwhelmed&#8230;all at the same time! I met so many grief neighbors and healing allies [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4756,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1904,1387,1034,1343,1903,1908],"tags":[316,36,1352],"class_list":["post-379763","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-and-healing","category-grief","category-happy-happens","category-healing-and-the-two-sides-of","category-loss","category-the-five-facets-of-healing-and-healing","tag-happyhappens","tag-grief","tag-national-grief-convention"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/staging.annahelizabeth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Dr.-Bernice-King-and-Me.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.annahelizabeth.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/379763","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.annahelizabeth.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.annahelizabeth.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.annahelizabeth.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.annahelizabeth.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=379763"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/staging.annahelizabeth.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/379763\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.annahelizabeth.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4756"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.annahelizabeth.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=379763"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.annahelizabeth.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=379763"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.annahelizabeth.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=379763"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}