Have you ever gotten news that literally took your breath away? I surely have. It was the late-night call that my mom—my healthy, hilarious, newlywed mom—was gone. Nobody could have imagined her happily-ever-after ending so quickly. As weeks marched by, the shock wore off and I was left wondering, what do you do with all this pain?

If you’ve ever lost someone you love—whether there was time to prepare, or their death came with no time to brace—you probably realize grief is one of the hardest things we ever face. That’s why I wrote Uncrushed.

My hope is that my new book will be a comforting space to:

• feel the emotions, rather than trying to numb them

• remember your loved one by writing about them

• lean into the healing promises in God’s word

• anticipate loving your life again.

I invite you to find a cozy spot, a refreshing beverage and a beautiful journal or spiral notebook. While missing a dear person you love may last a lifetime, my hope is that over just seven days, you will find a hope-filled beginning on your journey through mourning.

You are not alone. Whatever you’re feeling right now …  sadness, anger, fatigue, joy, confusion, relief … getting the emotions out of your heart and onto paper can really help.

Excerpted from Beth Marshall’s book, Uncrushed. Purchase it here.

Read more from Beth on Open to Hope: Communicating Your Needs When Grieving – Open to Hope