How SAM’s Helped Us Heal Together

Stewart and Raine

After the sudden loss of her husband, Kelly and her daughter found themselves navigating the overwhelming reality of grief without a roadmap—until they discovered SAM’s Place at the Grief and Loss Center. Through compassionate support, meaningful activities, and a safe space for both children and parents, they found connection, healing, and the tools to face grief together. Now Kelly serves on the Center’s board to continue the cycle of hope and support for others.

When my husband, Stew, died unexpectedly, my daughter and I felt like our world cracked wide open. He was the first person close to me who had passed away. I didn't have a roadmap for grief—just vague references from movies or TV, where the pain gets wrapped up neatly by the end of a two-hour story. I quickly learned that grief is not like the movies. There's no inspiring soundtrack and no tidy resolution. Grief shows up in strange places—at the grocery store, during a quiet car ride, while sitting across from an empty chair at dinner.

Many different paths lead people to the Grief and Loss Center. Some may be like our journey, and some may be very different. But one thing we all share is that we've lost someone significant to us, and we need a safe place to work through our grief with others who understand this emotional rollercoaster.

I didn't know the "right way" to grieve—and I definitely didn't understand how children process loss. That's when we found Laurie and the Grief and Loss Center's program for children, SAM's Place. It's a warm, caring space where kids can begin to understand their emotions and realize they're not alone in their grief.

The volunteers at SAM’s Place created a space where my daughter felt safe and understood. They didn’t pressure her to talk—just let her know it was okay to cry, be quiet, or even just play. Each session had simple but meaningful activities like drawing, journaling, music, and making memory boxes. She participated in activities that helped her feel less alone and more connected to what she was feeling.

While the kids met in their groups, the parents met, too. We talked about what our children were learning and how we could support them at home. More importantly, we were given space to talk about our own grief—what it felt like, how isolating it could be, and how to navigate those awkward moments when well-meaning people say the wrong thing. We didn't have to put on a brave face. We just had to show up.

Laurie and the team of volunteers gave us the opportunity to walk alongside others who were grieving, allowed us to find comfort in knowing that we were not expected to "bounce back," and encouraged us to keep going—gently, honestly, and at our own pace.

Grief doesn't follow a schedule—but over time, with enough grace, space, and support, it softens at the edges.

Just like there are many paths that lead families to the Grief and Loss Center, kids also find different ways to cope with loss. I'm so thankful my daughter had SAM's Place during that time. She still uses what she learned there. She's resilient, she can talk honestly about how she's feeling, and she has tools that help her face anxiety and uncertainty in a healthy way.

Today, I've found my way back to the Grief and Loss Center as a board member. It feels meaningful to give back to the place that helped us so much. There are many ways to support the center—whether that's attending a group, making a donation, volunteering, or simply sharing your story. You never know who needs to hear that they're not alone.