Loss is utterly terrifying.

Full stop. 

The idea of losing the people and things that are close to you is the worst type of frightening. Upon deep examination, it’s clear that some sort of unimaginable loss is at the root of the vast majority of the horrors we imagine. We avoid even thinking about loss as much as possible, because things can become dark pretty quickly.

During Gretchen’s memorial service, I remember standing in the midst of a room full of all my friends and family and realizing that almost every single one of them will have to grieve the loss of those they love. And it was devastating.

In the years of her sickness and in the year since her passing, I’ve wrestled day-by-day and moment-by-moment to face the reality of horror realized. I’m eternally grateful for friends who’ve prayed for and with me, who’ve referred resources, and have encouraged me to continue pressing through darkness of loss toward the light of hope. 

Through my own wrestling, I’ve compiled a list of resources that have been foundational to my own health and outlook as I’ve learned to live in the wake of devastating loss. I am eager to commend this list not only to those who are currently facing down loss, but to anyone who would take the time to utilize it. Unfortunately, we know loss is coming for us all, and the more prepared we are to deal with it, the higher the chances that we come through it in a healthy manner.