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By Lisa Bates, Sunshine After Loss December carries a unique kind of light — soft, golden, reflective. For many of us who have experienced loss, this season no longer looks like it once did, but that doesn’t mean it can’t hold meaning, warmth, or even beauty. It simply looks different. We  look different. What I’ve learned is this: December can still be a month of hope, healing, and rebuilding — not because everything is perfect, but because we choose to give ourselves grace

Today I’m sharing a personal reflection — one that honors the day that changed everything, yet continues to remind me of the strength that follows loss. As we turn the calendar to November 1st, I find myself holding space for both remembrance and renewal. Thirteen years ago yesterday, our world changed forever. November 1st always arrives with quiet weight-the day after "the" day. The day after diagnosis; the day that lump in my throat was formed; the day that I started to

Finding peace in simple moments of connection Through my journey of loss and renewal as a younger widow, I quickly learned how isolating this path can feel. Most people around me couldn’t relate to what I was going through, and at times, I felt invisible in my own grief. There were days when the weight was so heavy I wondered how I would ever move forward. If it weren’t for my beautiful girls — and the promises I made to my husband — I know I would not have made it. Here’s wh