My Heart Overflows with Gratitude

Laurie Taylor

I am incredibly humbled to serve as the Executive Director and Clinician at the Grief and Loss Center. My heart overflows with gratitude and my eyes brim with tears as I think of all the good that has happened this year. The challenges have been huge, but hope and perseverance have overcome the difficulties brought about by the pandemic. Although we have a few weeks left in 2021, I am taken back by all that has transpired to this point.

I am grateful for the 249 adults who have participated in our adult support groups so far this year. They have shared their pain and grown in their grief. They made the transition from in person groups to Zoom groups seamlessly. More importantly, they gave us the gift of their trust and for this I am grateful.

I am grateful for the 128 preschoolers through high school seniors who have been touched by our SAM’s program. They felt so alone in their grief, but were brave enough to meet with other kids who had also experienced the death of a loved one. I am thankful for their parents/guardians/caregivers who understand that children grieve deeply, but express their grief differently than adults.

I am grateful for the parents/guardians/caregivers who trusted us with their beautiful children who were grieving the death of a loved one. I am thankful they were also open to receiving support for their own grief and guidance in how to help their children.

 I am grateful for the 44 adults I’ve worked with through individual sessions. Their pain was deep and cutting, but they trusted me to walk with them on the journey as they gradually saw the light of hope again.

 I am grateful for the 16 children and teens I’ve met with through individual sessions. Their tender hearts were hurting, but they found the courage to talk about their pain and to share their grief with me.

 I am grateful for the six children and adults who are on the autism spectrum who participate in our program. They each found ways to express their grief in their own way. I am grateful that children and adults with special needs are always welcome at our center.

 I am grateful for the opportunity to reach 388 people through our community outreach program. What an honor to speak at hospice grief support luncheons, to go to a school after the death of a beloved teacher to support the faculty and students, to teach university and college development directors across the nation how to talk with grieving donors, and to facilitate a corporate grief group that included employees from around the world. 

I am grateful for our volunteers. There would be no Center without them. They serve with joy and are so greatly appreciated. They give their time and their hearts to nurture and love our clients through the most difficult times of their lives. 

I am grateful for our Board of Directors. These past months have been extremely challenging as a small nonprofit organization operating during a pandemic. Our board is a working board and they work hard. They voluntarily do the bulk of our administrative tasks and make it possible to achieve our goals. They are committed to our mission and go above and beyond to support our work. We truly would not exist without them.

I am grateful for our donors. Our doors would be closed if it weren’t for them. Even during these difficult times, they have stood beside us and continued to support us financially. They make it possible for us to help preschoolers, children, teens and adults who are grieving the death of a loved one. Their donations provide hope to our clients and help them rebuild their lives after loss.

I am profoundly grateful to do the work I am so passionate about. I am humbled to talk with hundreds of brokenhearted, grieving preschoolers, children, teens and adults each year. I am honored to be trusted to walk this journey with so many who need someone to listen and to encourage them. I get to live out my passion each and every day and for this I am eternally grateful.

My heart is filled with gratitude. My life is filled with meaning and purpose. Thank you, clients, volunteers, board members and donors for the amazing gift of walking alongside those who are grieving.