We grieve after the death of a loved one, but what about before? We do. There are different circumstances, such as a prodigal child or divorce, but the most familiar one is the diagnosis of a life-shortening or life-altering illness. The grief has an official name, anticipatory grief. Though each person’s journey is unique, normal, and significant, the path is universal.

Artful Grief Care is founded on thirty-three years of caregiving with three family members. The first was our daughter, Hannah, who died twenty-four years after a lifelong battle with cystic fibrosis. It was after her death I learned grief before loss is a real experience that requires attention in order to grieve well after loss.

My discovery inspired a desire to educate, encourage, engage others in anticipatory grief:

• Education: Knowledge is power. When we familiarize ourselves with the season, the more equipped we are to walk through the emotional and mental stress with healthy habits. My book, Anticipatory Grief: A Journey of a Thousand Losses and Endless Grace, is the culmination of what I learned as I revisited my anticipatory grief. Woven within each of our broken hopes and dreams is a good, true story of hope that never disappoint, beauty that never fades, and goodness that never ends. We can find if we allow our anticipatory grief, our faithful companion to lead the way.

• Encounter: Join Artful Grief Care Community for encouragement and support in soul, mind, and spirit. Check out other reliable support on Companion Book and Sites

• Express: Join Artful SoulCare for insights, encouragement and practical tips to live well in your journey of grief. Follow my posts on Artful Grief Care Instagram to be refreshed with words and images of hope.

• Engage: Visit The Chrysalis Collection to refresh your heart or someone else’s with beauty and hope.