“Loyal Hearts, Open Arms”

Honoring Friendship and Compassion When Grief Changes Everything

Growing up, it was impossible not to notice how my mom would drop everything to support friends and family, no questions asked. She lived by the motto, “to have a friend, you have to be a friend,” and that lesson stuck with me. Her unwavering loyalty became my blueprint, and I’ve always tried to show up for the people I love, no matter what storm I might be facing.

My mom’s steadfastness is something I deeply admired, and it’s undoubtedly one of the many reasons I was drawn to my late husband, Matt. No one embodied fierce loyalty quite like he did. He set the bar high, and if you were lucky enough to be on the receiving end, you knew it.

Everything is different now that these two pillars of loyalty are now in heaven. I am a different version of myself. Yet, my heart still has plenty of love and compassion for the people who have stuck by me and my family through it all. The tricky part? Sometimes, losing someone you love deeply can create an emptiness that quietly affects your other relationships too.

Our dearest friends and family, for instance, might hesitate to share their own struggles, thinking I’m already dealing with enough. But what they might not realize is that being excluded from their problems or even everyday ups and downs can feel extra isolating.

I know this is not intentional, and I’m truly humbled by the support and loyalty our friends and family have shown, especially through the worst moments of these past few years. Thank you doesn’t seem like enough. Now, I want the chance to “be a friend” and return the favor.

The thing is: you have to let me.

Even in the midst of heartache—I promise you—those of us grieving still want to be part of your world. But we can’t do it alone. So don’t hold back! Share your everyday drama, major dilemmas or funny little mishaps. We’re here, eager to stay connected and keep these bonds strong, no matter what life throws our way.

These connections aren’t just about reciprocating support for those who’ve stood by us (though that matters deeply). Staying involved also helps ease our loneliness and reminds us that, even as life changes, we remain a vital part of one another’s lives.

If you ever feel uncertain about leaning on someone who’s grieving, just remember that our loss doesn’t define us. We want to stand by your side, share in your joys and navigate both ordinary days and life’s toughest moments. That’s what true friendship is all about.

So, instead of tiptoeing around grief, let’s do our best to face it together. Let’s lean in and show up for each other, just as we always have. Life after loss may have changed me, but it hasn’t dimmed my loyalty or dampened my willingness to walk alongside you. Let’s choose connection and compassion, trusting that loyal hearts will carry us through—side by side, every step of the way.