A friend bought me a necklace a few years ago. It was a dolphin, and it had a story behind it.
She called it the “dolphin of hope.” She told me that whenever things were hard, her boyfriend would text her the dolphin emoji, and it was a reminder to hold on, to have hope. And my friend had faced some really hard things.
So I wore that necklace until it started to rust, and then I lost it. My closest friends immediately asked if they could buy me another one. Because while my hope was not in a necklace, the tangible reminder what I could feel and hold in dark times was powerful.
Tangible reminders are wonderful tools and gifts, and today, I might be biased, but let me suggest an idea for such a tangible reminder.
The Diamonds conference merch shop is officially open, with all kinds of stuff . . . sweatshirts, shirts, socks, stickers, mugs, etc. And I hope that the items there can be tangible reminders of the truth and encouragement that you get from the Diamonds Dream Again summer event (register for free here!).
You are not alone. There is hope. And it is okay to grieve.
Visit the merch shop for yourself (or to help others by getting them a tangible reminder of hope like my friends have done for me!).
Hang in there, friend.