Psalm 121:1: I look to the hills! Where will I find help?

Gratitude Day 966

Ever pecked away at something and wondered if it would ever get finished?

That’s me. For the last four or so years.

Plucking away at a book, one page at a time.

So often, I wondered if the book would ever get completed. I rewrote, moved words around, removed some and added others. Throughout the process, I wondered if the words would be good enough. I still wonder this.

And yet, today, those words are officially available in book form. Unraveling Together: Sharing the Threads of Grief’s official launch day is today: Tues., Nov. 4, 2025.

I get it. Grief is not a popular topic. Most often, we are not very comfortable talking about grief; especially our grief. As I have worked through the process of writing a layperson’s guide to grief, I have discovered there is benefit in digging deep. Getting real about our experiences with suffering. In fact, we heal best when we heal together. If we just give ourselves permission to do so.

It’s not fun or easy to be vulnerable. Seriously, who wants to talk about their junk? As I have been preparing for launch day, I have shared the book’s message several times; during a worship service or in a workshop. Every time, yes, every time, I see how this message of allowing ourselves to explore our grief hits people. Tears roll down people’s cheeks. Heads tilt a different way. I visibly see people nod their heads in agreement with what is said. In one-in-one conversations following, people share their loss. Their grief. It’s real. It’s right there. And it affects people’s lives.

This is exactly what I discovered while writing this book. For years, I didn’t want to acknowledge that I had experienced disappointment in my life. I did what so many people do: I pulled up my bootstraps and kept going. This is what many of us have been taught. And lived. Yes, life does go on. Yet, there is value in digging deeper. Of acknowledging that we have disappointment in our lives. More importantly, exploring grief has taught me the very important message that it is OK to hold sorrow and gratitude TOGETHER. I can have both and it’s OK.

I get it. Exploring grief is not for the faint of heart. It can be yucky to rip off that band-aid and be honest. What I am discovering is that allowing ourselves to open ourselves up and explore these challenging points in our lives helps us discover new things about ourselves, others, God and our relationship with God.

If you are interested in purchasing a copy of the book, it is available on Amazon. It is especially helpful for people to purchase the Kindle or e-pub version because Amazon tracks book sales based on Kindle purchases. It is also available in hardcover and paperback. The link to the book: https://tinyurl.com/book-link-online

For those of you working on a project that seems to be taking forever, stay with it. Plunk away at it, a little bit at a time. A huge part of the journey is consistency and staying with it. Hard projects take time. Let it be so with your difficult one.

I also pray that exploring grief is something we become just a bit more comfortable with. Sometimes we lose sight of how special it is to be alive and how precious each moment is.

Blessings –

Dianne

Holy God – Often, I want the promise of a brighter tomorrow. Yet, it feels so far away. Grant me courage to explore a life-altering event more closely. Help me heal. For those who keep their grief tightly guarded, may they seek a way to release this shame. When we are physically overwhelmed, come to us. Help us know Your promise of hope. Amen

Looking for a bit of daily inspiration? Check out my daily affirmation posts on Facebook and Instagram (Dianne Deaton Vielhuber and Simple Words of Faith.)

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