As you may know, for the past few years, I’ve been a group leader for bereaved parents at Our House Grief Support Center in Los Angeles. At the end of each of our sessions, the group reads a poem or a few words of wisdom, like this one: 

Here’s a little reminder of an important thing that often gets lost in the grief sauce. It’s simply this: There is always hope.

It’s hard to see sometimes. The sadness blinds us, but hope is always right there with you. All you have to do is reach out for it. 

Whenever you’re having a really bad day, wrap your arms around it and don’t let go. And it doesn’t hurt to also hold on to it on the not so bad days as well.

Let hope guide you. Hope is the light in the darkness. 

Whatever you’re feeling right now will pass. Things will get better and then they’ll get worse and then they’ll get better again…you know the drill. 

You’ve been on the exhausting grief ride for what feels like forever, but it’s not forever. 

And as long as you have hope in your heart, everything is going to be okay because hope is everything.

***

Our House has provided hope and grief support services for children, teens and adults for more than 30 years. They do amazing work and I’m honored to play a small part of it, but hope doesn’t pay the bills. Hopefully, that’s where you come in.

Twice a year, Our House hosts a fundraising event and twice a year I’m asking you, my friends, to help keep hope alive by opening up your hearts and wallets. The first one is on Sunday, April 14th, when I'll be walking with many others who have lost someone they loved. And just like last year, I know Rob will be there by my side. By contributing generously, you will be too.