In this conversation with my new friend Emily Gould, a fellow mother who has lost a child to cancer, we discussed Emily's experience with her daughter's cancer diagnosis, the brutal treatments they went through, and the challenges of navigating grief. We also talked about finding hope and choosing to assign meaning to tomorrow. Emily shared with us how her daughter's love and light continue to surround her, and how she finds comfort in signs and symbols that remind her of her daughter's presence. We also discussed the pressure to move on from grief from society and the misconception that grief has an expiration date. We highlight the choice to integrate their children into their lives and continue to honor them. We talk about the depth of love and the perspective that grief brings, and the importance of being seen and acknowledged in their pain.

• Cancer treatments can be brutal and painful, and they often have life-threatening side effects.

• Grief is a complex journey that involves feeling a range of emotions, including sadness, anger, and hope.

• Finding signs and symbols that remind us of our loved ones can bring comfort and a sense of connection.

• Choosing to assign meaning and hope to tomorrow can help us navigate the challenges of grief and loss. Be open to signs and connections from deceased loved ones

• Recognize and appreciate the signs as messages from loved ones

• Grief does not have an expiration date

• Grief brings a deeper perspective and appreciation for life

Emily Gould loves to discover as much as possible about people, cultures, emotions, and the world around her. Emily has been writing for over 20 years. Upon her daughter’s cancer diagnosis, writing became less of a hobby and more of a coping mechanism. The more Emily wrote, the more people listened. Her words have spanned across nations and touched the hearts of people all over the globe. She has taken the opportunity to educate those who haven’t been afflicted with cancer about this disease in hopes of spreading awareness and love for those who fight for their lives every single day. Alongside her husband Kris, Emily is always up for any adventure that life has to offer. The couple, with their four children, enjoy camping, hiking, boating, laughing too loud, and just being together.

You can find her here

My social media is: Instagram @emily_m_gould Facebook: Emily Gould

I have published two books and am working on my third. Here are the links:

Turning Weeds Into Wildflowers: https://a.co/d/fWHqgr1

It Gave Me You: https://a.co/d/de2iDoD

If you are grieving right now, you are not alone. You can order a copy of my bestselling book Even If-A Holistic Approach to Living A Joy Filled Life With Loss on amazon by clicking here. https://amzn.to/3x5Qbd8

If you are a fellow grieving mamma and would like to know more about Holistic Grief Academy, my coaching program you can click here https://holisticgriefacademy.myflodesk.com/prei7fpydj

PS. I would love to stay connected. You can follow me on Instagram @mrsshaunadukes or head over to ShaunaDukes.com for a free ebook on how to support a grieving friend.