As we arrive at the final week of the Grieving Through the Holidays Advent journey, we turn toward a powerful truth: gratitude can coexist with grief.

In this episode, Lisa reflects on how grief is not something to “move past,” but rather to live alongside. Grief is love with no place to go. When we allow gratitude and grief to sit side by side, we begin to see how deeply we have loved and how expansive the human spirit truly is.

Through sharing a personal story of hiking Bald Mountain with her mother, Lisa uses the story as a metaphor for grief. Grief is like climbing a mountain because there are moments of struggle, unexpected beauty along the way, and eventually, a view that reminds us why we kept going. The gratitude for the climb and view are ever present. Sometimes it is hard to see the forest but for the trees. When you look back, the high and low moments were all worth it. 

This week's practices include:

Journal Prompt: What can you be grateful for, even in the presence of loss? What is grief teaching you about love?

Action: Share one story aloud at a gathering or with your loved one’s family. 

Take a mindful minute to reflect on the 3 C's of grief, knowing that we have control over how we: choose, connect, and communicate each day. 

Whether this season feels heavy, hopeful, or somewhere in between, this episode reminds you that you are not alone. Share your loved one's story with friends and family while also giving yourself grace. We are here for you! 

To follow along with the prompts throughout Advent, join the community on Instagram and Facebook @givinggriefgrace, or email "Advent" to hello@lisahartung.com to receive the weekly reflections.

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Thanks for tuning in and we'll see you next week!

If you'd like to support my journey to see a world without pancreatic cancer, please consider donating to my NYC Marathon Project Purple fundraising page.

Special thanks to:

Podcast Editor Jacqueline van Bierk of Pink Star Music

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