Linda Henderson

My name is Linda Henderson, and I am a retired nurse, an author, and a bereaved mother. On Dec. 20, 2011, a horrific car accident claimed the life of my 27-year-old pregnant daughter, leaving behind her 2-year-old son. The driver who caused the crash walked away a free man due to prosecution error, compounding my devastation. Her sudden and tragic death left my world shattered, and I lived with grief for many years. Dealing with PTSD, depression, anxiety, fears, anger, and much more for nearly a decade gave me the determination to turn my pain into purpose. I wrote and published my book, "The Road of Love & Hope, " about child loss and grief. My new mission was to reach people in the grieving community to provide inspiration, hope, and empowerment. Determined to increase my knowledge about grief, I received certificates in Professional Grief & Bereavement, Coping with Child Loss, and Grief And Bereavement Counselling. I am a member of " The Bereavement Ontario Network. I have guested on many podcasts to share my story of hope and provide education about grief. Writing has become therapy for me, and I have written several articles on various online platforms and am currently working on my next book. I aim to be a beacon of hope for those navigating the grief journey. I am honored when I receive positive feedback, such as a woman who highlights portions of my book for her daily journey. My new motto is: "Embrace the Moments, Cherish the memories, and hope for tomorrow." "Grief is forever because love is forever, but life has to be lived, even amidst the pain. There is hope, even in the darkness".

Articles:

Between What Was and What Is

It has been over a decade now since losing Andrea, and grief has reshaped my world. My memories of her are as vivid as ever. I remember her as a child, with her locks of curly, golden hair and captivating blue eyes. The continuous compliments were awe-inspiring wherever we went. The way the sunlight caught her curls and the childhood laughter melted my heart as she played. I remember the pride I felt that followed me through the years, as I witnessed her milestones, accomplishments, and the way she nurtured her little boy. Those moments shaped my days, and I […]

The Big Red Purse

Andrea, I was hoping you could lend me one of your big purses. I opened the closet where they are stored. To my disappointment, the big ones I remember were not there. I’m not sure, perhaps I lent them on your behalf, and my grief brain doesn’t remember. At first, I was disappointed and sad, a minor frustration compared to the grief I carry daily, but it caused me to pause. I know you understand. I started to look in the closet quietly, and my eyes focused on the purse you had that day—the beautiful lilac-colored one with darker purple […]

Secondary Loss with Grief

Navigating secondary losses “Grief does not change you, it reveals you.” John Greene When my daughter Andrea died, a part of me died. My world shattered in a moment, and I stood in the ruins, with no foundation. I did not know how to breathe and could not think of living in a world without her. Losing her was devastating, but unknown to me was that Grief was going to unravel like a ball of yarn to reveal so much more. As time passed, Grief kept showing up in unexpected ways. It wasn’t just the absence of Andrea that weighed […]

Grief Illiteracy: How Avoidance Adds More Pain

What Grief Illiteracy Has Taught Me Losing Andrea irrevocably altered my life most profoundly. Child-loss changes the course of one’s life forever. My world is a different place, and I am not the same person I was before. There’s the deep personal pain that words are unable to touch, but there’s also something else I didn’t expect: the way the world responded. Or didn’t. In the months after Andrea died, I learned that many people don’t know how to deal with Grief, especially when it’s not their own. I call it grief illiteracy: the widespread discomfort, avoidance, and misunderstanding around […]

Handling Grief Triggers

Handling Grief Triggers Triggers are a natural and inevitable part of grieving. It is essential not to avoid them, as not all are negative. When we find ways to prepare and cope with triggers, we are honoring the lives of our precious loved ones. Triggers are anything that causes the emotions of Grief to transport us back to moments that feel as vivid as the day of loss, reminding us of our weakest point. Triggers creep around every corner and attack without warning. Have you ever been going about your day — grocery shopping, taking the kids to school, showering, […]

The Lessons of Grief

The Lessons of Grief Grief is ugly. It is raw, relentless, and merciless. It does not come gently or leave quietly. Grief stormed into my life like a natural disaster, shattering everything I once knew and leaving me with a version of myself I no longer recognize. It did not ask for permission and knew no boundaries. Grief is powerful and invades my entire body. It gives pain a new definition. Grief makes me cry until I am tearless and gasping to breathe. Until every muscle in my body aches from the sobbing, and I feel hollow. The emptiness it […]

Finding Hope in the Darkness

Finding Hope in The Darkness The Grief of the loss of my daughter deeply embedded itself in my soul. The loss of a child is a profound, life-altering experience. The journey through this loss is one of unimaginable pain that seeps into every cell of existence. The unbearable despair of Grief makes Hope inconceivable and feels unreachable. The weight of Grief is suffocating, making it seem impossible to see any light. Understanding Grief Grief is a whole-body experience. The harsh impact attacks a person with changes that influence us physically, emotionally, cognitively, socially, and in every way possible. Depression, sadness, […]

Open to Hope is an online community offering inspirational stories of loss, hope and recovery. We believe hope is the bridge between loss and recovery.