A father reflects on how Good Grief helped his family after the loss of his wife.

At Good Grief, we like to say that “Grief has a home here—and so do you.” This testimonial from an alumni family speaks directly to how it feels to find your home and your Good Grief family.

When Loss Feels Impossible
When Jimmy and his children lost their wife and mother, everything changed. Grief entered their lives suddenly and completely. Like many families, they were unsure how to move forward or support each other through the overwhelming waves of sorrow.

A recommendation led them to Good Grief, and what they found was not just a support program, but a new kind of family.

“Life is a journey that can bring immense joys but unfortunately can also present challenges that seem insurmountable. When my wife passed away, my children and I were devastated.  It was recommended that we reach out to Good Grief to help us navigate our new situation and we are extremely glad we did.” 

Finding a New Kind of Family
Walking into a grief support center isn’t easy. It means acknowledging pain that can’t be undone. But what Jimmy and his children found at Good Grief wasn’t just support, it was belonging.

“Good Grief is a big family. Obviously, nobody wants to be in the situation where you have the need to become a part of this family. But once you join, you can’t help but be grateful for the comfort and support of others who are in the same situation.”

At Good Grief, families are never alone in their grief, our programs and trained volunteers reduce isolation and build much-needed community for children and families. Our centers are a safe place to land where the stigma that can follow grievers is set aside, where adults can connect, and kids can just be kids.

Learning to Navigate the Everyday
Grief doesn’t stay in the support group room; it shows up at the dinner table, in the school hallway, during meetings at work, and on holidays and birthdays. Through our programs, Jimmy and his children gained practical tools for those everyday moments.

“We learned a lot about how to deal with grief and other emotions. We also learned a lot about how to make it through the day and interact with others at school, work, or whatever task or event we had upcoming. It was helpful to hear how others dealt with the holidays, first birthday, and other big life events after they lost a loved one.”

Peer Support That Makes a Difference
No matter how much adults try to comfort a grieving child, something powerful happens when our volunteers enable kids to connect with other kids who truly understand.

“It is also beneficial for children to meet other children who have lost a loved one.  You can tell children that they aren’t alone but once they meet other children their age and can ask questions of each other, then they really feel they aren’t alone.”

At Good Grief, peer support is at the heart of everything we do. It helps children (and adults) feel seen, heard, and less isolated.

Gratitude and Growth
Jimmy and his children have since graduated from Good Grief’s programs, but their connection to the community remains.

“My children and I have since graduated but we know we are always welcome back. I am blessed that my children are capable of focusing on the joys of life, rather than the challenges, and I attribute this, in part, to our time at Good Grief.  

If you are in the situation where you can benefit from joining Good Grief, I wholeheartedly recommend you do so. My children and I are extremely grateful for the love and support we received.”

Your Story Can Help Others
At Good Grief, every family has a story, and we believe those stories matter. Jimmy and his children’s journey is just one example of the strength, connection, and hope that grows in our community.

If you’re a current or alumni Good Grief family, we would be honored to hear your story.

Email us at social@good-grief.org to get started.

If you or someone you love is facing life after loss, Good Grief is here.
Our programs are free of charge, grounded in peer support, and built on the belief that no one should grieve alone.

Learn more: https://good-grief.org/nights-of-support/ 

Make a donation to support other families: https://good-grief.org/donate/

This story is shared with permission from Jimmy N., a Good Grief parent alumnus. It has been edited by the Good Grief team for clarity and length in order to better reflect his family’s journey.