Last month’s newsletter on joy and grief sparked several conversations from our community: How do we find light in the midst of the darkness? Can we honestly hold joy and grief together? Some of you strongly declared that at this point in your grief – less than 2 years for some – it was a hard, “no.” There was no joy, no happiness. In fact, as one of our members described this moment in their life and grief as though…
Continue ReadingWhen you’re consumed by grief, it can feel like you’ll never feel joy again. And when you do, it can feel like you’re abandoning your grief or love your person less. Good news! Joy and grief co-exist. In fact, they must: healthy grief is made up of a mixture of sadness and joy and disappointment and hope. Here are a few ideas to start finding joy in your grief: Try one of these rituals for finding joy: Here are a…
Continue ReadingMay’s gentle arrival brings Mental Health Awareness Month, inviting us to embrace the rich tapestry of our emotional experiences with compassion and understanding. This month reminds us that acknowledging our feelings—whether bright joy, deep grief, quiet anxiety, or resilient hope—is fundamental to nurturing our overall wellbeing. For those navigating the winding path of grief, particularly those who carry the memory of a child in their hearts, this month offers meaningful validation that your mental health journey deserves attention and care.…
Continue ReadingGrief reminds us… Grief is simply our love with no place to go. Grief has no timeline. We never get over our loss. I use these words to try to comfort others who are grieving. I know all this is true. So why is it that on hard days like birthdays or death dates am I surprised at the rawness of my emotions? The brain says, “It’s been 14 birthdays without Brian. You’re used to this by now.” The heart…
Continue ReadingGrief often arrives unexpectedly, triggered by a song, a scent, or a memory that suddenly transports us back to our loss. During these moments, our bodies respond physically—perhaps with a tightening chest, a lump in the throat, or tears that seem to come from nowhere. Rather than immediately trying to “manage” these feelings away, there’s profound healing in allowing yourself to experience grief fully. Next time you feel grief rising, try this: Remember, grief isn’t something to “get over”—it’s something…
Continue ReadingWe warmly invite you to join us this Saturday as we celebrate 10 remarkable years Anchored in Hope. Ten years of transforming personal grief into collective healing. Ten years of educating thousands of people and having the difficult conversation on mental health and suicide awareness. What began as a way to search for hope and healing from our heartbreaking loss has blossomed into a community of hope, strength, and connection. Your steadfast support has helped countless individuals find light in…
Continue ReadingPart of what makes grief so difficult is all the feelings associated with it. There are so many different emotional experiences tied to grief: rage, sadness, numbness, among others. And they never come up how or when you’d expect. In order to grieve and heal and learn to live with loss, we must accept that these emotions are a normal, healthy, and important part of the grief process. Here are a few ideas to help you acknowledge, feel, and accept…
Continue ReadingAs our 10th Anniversary approaches, we’ve been reflecting on a decade of service. We never imagined that our journey through grief would evolve into a way to support so many others. In the past year alone, we’ve had the privilege of helping: We are immensely grateful for the support of our family, friends, and community as we’ve shared our love for Brian and continued our mission. Thank you for helping us provide hope and healing to those experiencing loss and…
Continue ReadingDear Family & Friends – We have been sharing the past few months about the Brian Dagle Foundation’s 10 years of hope and healing. Words cannot describe how our community of people have inspired, motivated, and supported us to create something so beautiful from the broken pieces of our hearts. Ten years ago, our family was still so lost. We were searching for a way to honor Brian’s spirit and unconditional love for his family, friends, and school. We remembered…
Continue ReadingReady or not, here it is: a new year. This time of year it’s everywhere:New year, new you. It’s time for a fresh start! Out with the old, in with the new. On paper it sounds like a great idea. In reality, how do you let go of the grief, the love, the reminders, that you’re missing special people in your life? Your brain tells you one thing and your heart says something completely different. Humans are remarkable creatures. We…
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