When my husband, Andy, passed away after a long battle with cancer early in 2021, I felt completely lost. We’d been together since I was 18 and I didn’t recognise the world without him. I couldn’t imagine how I would ever be okay again, as the pain was brutal and consumed me day and night. I felt like a boat lost in a stormy sea and had no idea how to reach land (peace) or even if I wanted too, if it meant doing it without him. If you have lost a loved one, I am sure you can relate.
However, there was a small part of me that knew I could be ok again one day and I clung on to the hope that I would survive and be able to be happy again. I knew Andy wanted this for me and I wanted this for myself too. I just had no idea “how”, as every day I would wake up with the same intensity of grief, but I was determined to try.
Throughout this time the Hummingbird Centre became a lifeline of support. When I was at my lowest, the Centre continued to guide me, offering a place where I felt safe, understood, and never alone in my pain. The complementary treatments provided there became something I truly looked forward to—moments of peace amid chaos.
I found journalling a really useful way to pour out my feelings and it charted the small, but significant progress in my healing. These journal entries later became the basis of my book A Journey Through Grief—a book that is not just about coping with grief, but more about healing, hope, and finding light in the darkness.
I learned that grief cannot be avoided—you have to go through it to truly heal. That said, there are ways to support yourself and ease unnecessary suffering along the way, and that is what I share in A Journey Through Grief, to help you navigate your grief with compassion and hope.
The idea for the book came when I was on holiday in Greece. I’d just been snorkeling and as I emerged from the water, I felt something I hadn’t felt for such a long time – I felt exhilarated and so alive, I was buzzing! I knew I wanted to give hope to those who were following behind me. Hope that despite our losses there’s a good life still to be had. As I sat drying off in the sun, the idea grew and I couldn’t wait to get started!
Throughout the book, my artwork is woven into the pages, adding touches of color and light to brighten even the darkest days. This book is meant to be something you turn to again and again, offering reassurance as you move through grief with greater self-kindness.
Each chapter includes carefully chosen journal prompts and guided pages, inviting you to reflect and take small, gentle steps forward. My hope is that this book becomes a companion for you—one that offers solace and helps you rediscover a sense of peace amidst the pain.
I can truly say I am happy again and my loss has given me opportunities to grow, I call these Hidden Gifts. There are still adventures to had and sunsets to see and so much joy.
Mechelle has some copies that I have donated to the Hummingbird or you can order a copy here www.ajourneythroughgrief.blog. If you put “Hummingbird” in the notes section at the checkout, 15% of your sale will be donated to the Hummingbird Centre help continue their amazing work.
If you can answer “Yes” to any of the following questions, then A Journey Through Grief was written with you in mind:
- Do you feel lost and alone after losing your life partner or another loved one?
- Are you worried that this heartbreak and pain will never ease?
- Do you wonder how you’ll ever heal or find a way to live without them?
- Do you long to build a new life that honors their memory and supports you, but fear that moving forward might mean losing them all over again?
I understand because I’ve been where you are. I didn’t know if I’d ever be okay again or even how to keep going without him. But what I’ve come to learn is that grief cannot be avoided—you have to go through it to truly heal. That said, there are ways to support yourself and ease unnecessary suffering along the way, and that is what I share in A Journey Through Grief.
This is the book I wish I’d had.
Andy wanted me to smile again, and every day, I work towards that. I know he would be proud of the life I am building and of the fact that A Journey Through Grief is giving hope to others navigating their own devastating losses.
With love,
Anna x