08/04/2026
Grief is layered, non-linear, and completely personal. Whether a loss is sudden or expected, recent or years past—the weight of missing someone doesn’t fit into a tidy box.
Walking these steps again with my mom and dad brought up so many sweet, vivid memories: watching my papa grill on the porch, pretending with my sister that the elephant statues were our real pets, or drinking Fanta on the couch watching TV shows we were far too young for.
Both carried so much, yet they left behind so much light.
I will always remind my daughters of my papa’s brilliance, persistence, and quiet generosity—and my nana’s strength, her love for this beautiful place, her daily weather reports, her iconic all-purple wardrobe, and her dedicated volunteer work fighting for the rights of others.
Seeing three generations on these paths, with my daughters retracing those exact same steps, reminded me that honoring the people we’ve lost isn’t about staying still. It’s about passing down their stories and choosing to live fully in a way they would hope for us.
Moving forward isn’t forgetting. It’s learning to carry the love alongside the loss. 🤍
If you’re navigating loss right now, know that whatever you’re feeling is valid—sadness and peace can exist in the exact same moment.
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