The Language of Grief

On Monday, Jan. 13, Greg’s heart stopped when he experienced a heart attack that required immediate intervention. Despite the severity of this incident, it was not the first time Greg’s heart was broken. Sixteen months prior, Greg lost his wife, Michelle, after a seven-year battle against breast cancer. 

The loss of his wife left him and their two daughters to grapple with their grief as they learned to navigate life without her. Through that process, Greg began attending GriefShare at HP Pres, sharing “I can’t explain in words how big our support group has been through all this – it’s a very real manifestation of the body of Christ.”  

Surrounded by people that understand what loss feels like on a deep, personal level, Greg received practical support for how to keep moving through extreme heartache. For him, witnessing others process their grief made him feel that it was possible for him too. He shares, “When you’re suffering, everything is harder. GriefShare teaches you this language of how to move through that when you’re open and ready.” 

He recalls a time during Michelle’s illness when someone asked her, “What is the meaning of life?” Her response has stuck with him since. She said, “That’s the wrong question. You should be asking, ‘What’s the meaning in life?’ The answer to that is to shine light in dark places.” For Greg, GriefShare helps him do just that. 

In the midst of his own suffering, he found life-changing empathy for those around him. No matter what he faces, whether it’s grief for his wife, navigating life as a single parent, or experiencing a severe medical emergency, Greg shares that he is “learning to trust my Father who holds everything. He’s restored me and it’s just about trust and taking the next step forward, knowing He’s there.” 

You don’t have to walk through grief alone. Go to hppres.org/care to find support when you need it the most.