Starting Over: Navigating Grief, Loss, and Rediscovery

Hi, I'm Amber. I'm 32, and the last two years of my life have been filled with chaos, sadness, grief, anger, and everything in between. My life took a sudden turn in August 2022 when my dad passed away unexpectedly. He had been sick for some time, dealing with a laundry list of health problems. We’d been telling him for years that he was slowly killing himself. Just when he was finally focused on pulling his health back together, out of nowhere, he was gone.

Not even three months later, my mom was diagnosed with an aggressive, terminal cancer. Three months after losing my dad, I was now facing the reality of watching my mother deteriorate and leave us too. We lost Mom in May 2023. In the span of just 9 months, both of my parents were suddenly gone. They were so young, in their early 50s, and I was only 30. I had expected to have so many more years with them, but life doesn’t always go as planned.

Losing both parents so close together was devastating. It felt like a tidal wave of grief, hitting me again and again before I could even catch my breath. The house that once echoed with their laughter became eerily quiet. Their absence left a void I’ve struggled to fill, and the pain of all the future moments we’ll never share still stings every day. Holidays, birthdays, and everyday moments—all of it feels different now.

But in the middle of that darkness, I’ve also learned so much about resilience, love, and what truly matters. Grief has a way of stripping life down to its essentials, forcing you to confront who you are and what you value. I’ve had to relearn how to live in a world that feels fundamentally altered without them. It’s not just about surviving anymore; it’s about finding purpose and joy, even in the shadow of loss.

This blog has been an idea of mine for a while. I wanted a place to share my story, the lessons I’ve gathered, and the ways I’ve begun to heal. I’ve realized that grief doesn’t have to isolate us. By sharing our experiences, we create connections that remind us we’re not alone. This is a space for honesty and vulnerability, for the messy, beautiful process of rebuilding after loss.

Starting this blog is incredibly nerve-wracking. Putting my heart on the page for others to see feels both terrifying and liberating. But I promised myself that this year would be different. This is the year I stop being in flight mode and start fighting again—for myself, for my dreams, and for the life my parents would want me to live.

Thank you for being here. Whether you’re navigating grief, loss, or just the ups and downs of life, I hope you find comfort and connection in my words. Together, let’s face the hard truths, celebrate the small victories, and remind each other that there’s always light to be found—even in the darkest times. Let’s take this journey together, one step at a time.

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