Grief & Grace - The Days After

“Grief is the open window where love still finds its way in.”

The days after the funeral were wrapped in a kind of quiet shock. The house felt both too full and unbearably empty at the same time. People came and went, bringing food, hugs, and words that didn’t always land. My body was moving, my hands arranging, my lips forming “thank yous,” but my heart felt caught between this world and the one my husband and daughter had just crossed into.

One of the things I felt deeply called to do was to take home both flower arrangements that had rested on Russell and Ariel’s caskets. I wanted to make remembrance bouquets for the friends and family who had stood by us during those first painful days. It was my way of saying: you carried us, and I want to honor that.

Toward the end of the task, I stepped out onto the porch to gather the last of the flowers. And there, resting in the snow, was a single perfect red rose. It was lying as though placed there carefully, pulled from the arrangement and set down just so. I froze. Then the tears came, because it hit me all at once: I had made bouquets for everyone else, but not for myself. In that rose, I felt Russell’s hand—his way of making sure I wouldn’t be forgotten in my own grief. To this day, I believe that rose was his gift to me.

In the days that followed, the phone would ring and when I answered—silence. Again and again it happened, so much that I began to feel frustrated, even angry, thinking someone was cruelly playing a trick. Only later did I learn that when our loved ones first cross over, one of the simplest ways they reach us is through energy—flickering lights, ringing phones. I was told, “Next time it happens, greet them. Let them know you hear them.”

The next time the phone rang and the silence stretched, I whispered into the receiver, “Thank you for calling. I love you. I miss you.” And instantly, the ringing stopped. They knew I knew it was them. From that moment forward, I started to notice—really notice—the signs. Little moments that stitched them back into my days.

Grief carries us through a gauntlet of feelings: despair, longing, disbelief, anger, tenderness, love. Sometimes they crash like waves; sometimes they arrive like whispers. In those first days, I felt them all—sometimes within the very same hour. But what steadied me was realizing that grief is not only about what is gone—it is also about what remains. The bonds of love, the language of signs, the ways our beloveds reach across the veil to remind us they are near.

Even in the darkest stretch of grief, there are roses in the snow.

Reflection

If you are walking through your own season of loss, know that it is normal to feel everything at once—the anger, the love, the confusion, the hope. Grief is not neat or linear, but it is alive. It breathes with us, aches with us, and slowly, in its own way, it begins to reveal light through the cracks.

And perhaps, like me, you will begin to notice small signs—a rose in the snow, a flicker in the lights, a ringing phone with no voice on the other end. When you do, may you allow yourself to believe: love always finds a way to reach us.

Grief is the shadow of love, and grace is the light it leaves behind. May you carry both tenderly,

Solena

Grief doesn’t come with a map, but sometimes a small guide can help light the way. If you’re looking for a little extra support on your journey, you can explore the Grief & Grace workbooks

Grief & Grace Workbooks – Choose Your Companion

Every grief journey is unique. Whether you want a gentle guide to reflect a little at a time, or a deeper, more immersive companion, there’s a Grief & Grace workbook for you.

Mini Edition - 6 page ($7.77):

• A concise, easy-to-use guide to help you notice, process, and release emotions in small, thoughtful steps.

• Includes journaling prompts, reflective exercises, and gentle guidance to support you on the go.

• Perfect if you’re looking for something simple, immediate, and focused.

Deluxe Edition - 12 page ( $11.11):

• A fuller, in-depth companion with additional exercises, expanded reflections, and inspiring quotes to help you dig deeper.

• Includes mini-workbook pages, extended journaling prompts, and more guided activities to nurture your healing process.

• Ideal if you want a more thorough resource to accompany you over several days or weeks.

Choose the edition that fits your needs. Each workbook is designed to walk with you gently as you navigate grief, honor your loved ones, and find your own path toward grace.

And when you’re ready, personalized sessions are available to walk this path with someone who understands."

Mini Workbook – $7.77

Deluxe Workbook – $11.11