Aug 304 min read

Finding Hope in Grief: Lessons from Molly's Path on National Grief Awareness Day

Written by Molly Schreiber, Founder + CEO, Challenge to Change, Inc.

" In a world that is often marked by uncertainty and adversity, hope emerges as a powerful guiding light." ~ Molly Schreiber

In the spirit of renewal and remembrance, Happy National Grief Awareness Day!

In a world that is often marked by uncertainty and adversity, hope emerges as a powerful guiding light. It provides us with the strength and resilience necessary to endure life's inevitable ups and downs. The essence of hope is not merely about wishing for a better future; it is about believing in it and working towards it, even when the path ahead seems unclear. This belief in a brighter tomorrow is the cornerstone of Molly's Path.

My personal experience with sadness and navigating an extremely hard time was when I lost my first husband, Kyle. Kyle and I were college sweethearts who married and began a family at the young age of 24. When Kyle died as the result of a car accident, I was widowed at the age of 30 with three kids under the age of three, and my world was rocked. The weight of sadness came crashing down on me. I had never, in my 30 years of life, felt the crushing toll of sadness like this.

Authored by our Trauma Supports Director, Kayla Reetz, this book is a heartfelt narrative inspired by my own journey. It encapsulates the profound wisdom I have gained from the most significant challenge of my life, presenting it in a format accessible and relatable to children. The book is thoughtfully designed to assist young readers in navigating grief and hardship while instilling in them a deep sense of hope and resilience for a bright and promising future.

This blog post is dedicated to the brave souls who walk the path of healing, in honor of those we have loved and lost. Your story is a beacon of light that guides us in our darkest hours.

Image from Molly's Path, illustrated by Charlotte Harwood

I like to say that emotions are data from our soul. They fuel our inward and outward lives in the form of energy. Their job is to attract our attention to what is going on inside ourselves in the moment we are in. Emotions prompt us to make decisions and give us the fuel to act.

My experience with this deep sadness led me to two choices: I could pull the covers over my head and hide from the future, or come out kicking and screaming and kick some butt in life.

I chose to not only survive, but thrive. Through this, I navigated big emotions of sadness, loss, and grief. These three emotions served as teachers and guided me to these seven essential road signs to living a full and fulfilled life.

Finding Hope and Resilience Through Grief

In sharing my story through this book, I aim to plant seeds of hope in the hearts of children, encouraging them to believe in themselves and their ability to overcome obstacles. I want them to understand that while life may not always be easy, they possess the inner strength to rise above any challenge. By fostering this resilience, we can help shape a generation that is not only hopeful but also capable of creating a brighter, more compassionate world.

I felt divinely supported by God and the Universe, and this spiritual support became the foundation upon which I rebuilt my life. It was this sense of being held by something greater than myself that allowed me to hold on to the hope of a happy and healthy life, even when circumstances suggested otherwise. The process of grieving and healing was not linear, nor was it easy, but it was transformative. Through the loss of Kyle, I was gifted with the strength to not only survive but to thrive and find new meaning in life.

Image from Molly's Path, illustrated by Charlotte Harwood

This journey of healing and self-discovery inspired me to make a difference in the world of education. I recognized that the tools I used to navigate this difficult period in my life—mindfulness, self-regulation, and resilience—were not just valuable for me; they were essential life skills that I wanted to pass on to the next generation. I envisioned a world where children, from a young age, could be equipped with the emotional and mental tools needed to face life's challenges with courage and grace.

Empowerment and Resilience Through Emotions

I truly hope that Molly’s Path is more than just a book but also a tool for empowerment. It offers children a roadmap for navigating their own challenges, teaching them that while pain and loss are inevitable parts of life, so too are healing and hope. The story emphasizes the importance of resilience—the ability to bounce back from adversity and continue moving forward. It shows young readers that even in the darkest times, there is always a path to a brighter future, and that path is illuminated by the light of hope.

As I reflect on the journey that led to the creation of Molly’s Path, I am filled with gratitude. Gratitude for the lessons learned, for the support received, and for the opportunity to turn my pain into purpose. This book is a testament to the power of hope and the resilience of the human spirit. It is my sincere hope that Molly’s Path will serve as a beacon of light for young readers, guiding them through their own challenges and helping them build a foundation of hope and resilience for their bright futures.

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As we honor the stories of grief and resilience that shape our lives, let us also look to the future with hope and optimism. May Molly's Path inspire us to embrace change, cultivate resilience, and nurture the seeds of transformation within our hearts. For in every moment of darkness, there is a glimmer of light waiting to be discovered.

~Molly