Journeys Through Grief

11/21/2025

The loss of a loved one often causes adults to question their spirituality. Adults may wonder, "Why would God allow this?" for example. Children, due, to their developmental stage and lack of life experience, tend to experience confusion about faith and spirituality.

They may wonder if they did something wrong that made God take their loved one away. They may not even understand the permanence of death, leading to more confusion and distress.

As caregivers, we can be a safe, loving presence for their questions, fears, and doubts about faith. It's helpful to know that questions about faith and spirituality are natural and okay to explore. Often it's not the answer that is needed but the supportive presence of a someone willing to listen and reassure them.

11/20/2025

We’re honored to have Krystal Williams-Payne, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Grief Educator, and Certified Yoga Instructor, joining us for this interview on navigating childhood grief.

11/18/2025

Children experiencing a loss are often trying to make sense of death while also navigating the painful emotions that come with it. As caregivers, our role is to be a safe, steady place for them to process their grief. Sometimes their pain shows up as challenging behavior, but there’s almost always a reason behind it.

Stay curious. Stay calm. Stay present.
By doing so, you help children learn to give their feelings the space they need to move through.

We’re honored to have Krystal Williams-Payne, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Grief Educator, and Certified Yoga Instructor, joining us this Wednesday (11/19) for an interview on navigating childhood grief. You won’t want to miss this conversation.

11/13/2025

Grief impacts the whole person. As adults we struggle to understand the mental disorientation we feel when we have lost a loved one. Grief clouds our thoughts, makes decision making difficult, and can impact memory. Children also struggle to think clearly after the loss of a loved one. They can experience confusion, distraction, forgetfulness; all of which can impact behavior, appetite, and sleep. How can you help?

Here are a few ways:

1. Keep to normal routines. This will help children feel secure in a time of disorientation.

2. Validate their experience by helping them understand that missing a loved one makes it hard to concentrate. Be patient.

3. Seek help if a child has prolonged symptoms of sleep loss, poor appetite, or confusion. You can find support through these links:

https://www.ourhouse-grief.org/children-and-teens/

https://www.dougy.org/grief-support-resources/kids

11/12/2025

Throughout this month we will be posting on how to help the children we care for process their grief. The loss of a loved one can be very disorienting and confusing for adults and children alike. The difference is that children do not typically have life experience or the words for the strong emotions they may feel after the loss of a loved one. As a caregiver, if you notice your child having mood swings, acting out, or behaving in ways that are atypical it may be that they are having trouble processing their emotions and need help finding a way to release them. Here are just a couple of things you can try:

1. Let your child draw a picture of their loved one or about what they feel inside. Be attentive and let them tell you the story of their picture. Validate whatever emotions they can articulate through their art.

2. Emotions can get “trapped” in the body without a way to express them. Help your child choose an activity to release the energy of their strong emotions. Let them run around the outside of your house, go on a nature walk, let them throw a wet sponge against a wall or freeze water-filled balloon/s and let them smash it on the ground. These are just some of the ways to help your child release strong emotions from their body.

10/29/2025

I’m honored to introduce myself as the new Director of Grief Support for Journeys Through Grief.

I am an ordained pastor who holds a Doctor of Ministry in Spiritual Formation and leadership and certification in both Spiritual Direction and Grief Support. For nearly 20 years, I have sat with people and groups processing painful life events, guiding them through compassionate presence to the other side of trauma and grief.

Our grief, pain, and loss will not destroy us, but it certainly can feel like it will. Our response is often to keep busy to avoid painful emotions. The reality is our painful emotions will keep bouncing back up to the surface. Our pain, loss, and grief needs to be felt, heard, and seen to heal.

That’s why Journeys Through Grief exist, and it is my great honor to be on the journey with you all.

09/23/2025

Today’s virtual grief seminar has been rescheduled to Monday, September 29, at 4 p.m. PT.

09/09/2025

This is a brilliant inner view of grief, how it impacts children and a simple set of stances to take: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZN4zP5baJrg

09/04/2025

This is the essence of grieving.

08/20/2025

Beginnings and Endings: Retirement of Our Grief Counselor, Galen Goben.

08/18/2025

08/13/2025

After the death of your loved one, tears can speak in ways words cannot. They can soften the heart, clear the mind, or reveal memories once forgotten.

What do your tears open you to?