When Our Colors Fade: Finding Hope and Community Through Life’s Hard Moments

One day, my daughter, who was 4 at the time, told me, “Mommy, my heart is made of beautiful colors.” She’s always had a knack for poetic ways to describe things, and that phrase has stayed with me. I hope she always feels that way—that her heart is filled with beautiful colors. But I also know that life can sometimes make those colors fade.

This past year especially made me reflect on grief, children, and families experiencing loss, illness, or significant change. To be honest, my own colors faded a bit. I had a miscarriage, my oldest brother Jeff died last October, and dear friends have been facing loss, family illness, or personal illness. Amid the hard moments, though, there have also been really beautiful and meaningful experiences.

I actually started writing this blog many months ago but couldn’t finish it—maybe because my colors were still felt faded. This week, I had the pleasure of attending a conference with the wonderful Wonders & Worries registered providers. For three days, I was surrounded by women dedicated to supporting kids and families through tough life moments. I felt renewed being in the company of people who are kind, full of love and laughter, and committed to walking alongside families during their hardest times.

I’m reminded that everyone faces challenging moments that can dull our colors. One thing I often say to families is that we cannot walk through these hard experiences alone. We need people and community—they bring color back into our lives. They encourage and inspire us.

This simple post is a nod to everyone who attended the conference this week. Thank you for the inspiration, laughter, and learning we shared over the past three days. I look forward to continuing to work with children and families who may feel like their colors have faded—and helping to add more color back into their hearts.