It has been 5 years since Dave died. I don’t talk about it much, because, truthfully, it’s too hard. It’s hard to describe the overwhelming, complicated feelings from losing your best friend, your partner, and the father of your children.

I fumble over my words not knowing if people know I’m a single mom, or the trauma that has happened to me and the girls. What people see is me showing up to a dance recital smiling or happily chatting at back to school night. What they don’t see is that I’m pinching my leg during the dance recital to keep from crying about another event Dave is missing. What they don’t see is me crying hysterically in my car before walking into back to school night knowing that I’m walking in alone.

As difficult as it is for me, I am in awe of the strength and resilience my girls have developed in navigating their own grief. I can’t begin to comprehend how they feel knowing what is missing from their lives.

One place we have found comfort in our grief journey is at Good Grief. Good Grief builds resilience in children, strengthens families, and empowers communities to grow from loss and adversity.

The first time we attended, we walked in, my daughter looked around at all the people, started crying, and immediately ran out exclaiming she wouldn’t participate. I convinced her to give it a try. As people began introducing themselves, she heard other kids state they had lost their own mom or dad. Her entire being changed. It was the first time she realized she wasn’t alone. There are other kids like her, missing a parent.

So for the past few years, we have participated at Good Grief. It has allowed us to hear and learn from other families with a shared experience.

To allow other families the same opportunity, I am excited (and scared!) to be running the 2024 TCS NYC Marathon on behalf of Good Grief. Please support me in changing the future for grieving kids, so that they can also feel a little less alone in their grief journey.