There are losses that unfold slowly, without a clear moment of goodbye. You wake up one day and realize that the person sitting across from you — the one you’ve known for years, maybe decades — has changed. Not gone, but different. Illness has a way of rearranging lives like that. It takes pieces of the person you love, sometimes gently, sometimes all at once, until the familiar rhythms of your connection no longer sound the same.

We often think of grief only in terms of death. But what about the loss that’s steeped in separation, absence, and invisible walls? The incarceration of someone close — whether a family member, partner, or friend — can stir a grief as real and deep as any other. It’s a non-death loss that deserves acknowledgment, care, and compassion.

Redefining yourself after loss isn’t about “moving on.” It’s about discovering how to live within a changed world while honoring what has been lost. It’s a process of becoming—one that unfolds slowly, unevenly, but meaningfully.

Grief doesn’t always begin with death. Sometimes, it starts the moment someone you love begins to slip away — not physically, but emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Addiction creates a unique kind of absence. The person is still here, yet not quite reachable. The connection you once knew changes, sometimes slowly, sometimes all at once. This is a form of grief few people talk about, yet it’s one that many quietly endure.

When someone we care about is grieving, it can leave us feeling helpless. We want to fix it, make it better, take away their pain—but grief isn’t something that can be fixed. It’s something that must be lived through, in all its painful complexity. And if you’re reading this, you’re probably someone who wants to show up well for a friend or family member who’s grieving. That’s a beautiful intention.

As a motherless mother, it’s essential to cultivate a network of supportive individuals who can provide guidance, encouragement, and practical help. This network might include trusted friends, family members, or even mentors who can offer advice when needed.

Consider the following strategies for building your support system:

• Identify Your Tribe: Surround yourself with people who uplift you, whether they are friends who have children or older women who can serve as maternal figures.

Motherhood is a life-changing experience, filled with moments of joy, challenge, and growth. But for women who are motherless daughters, becoming a mother can stir up a unique set of emotions—grief, longing, and at times, uncertainty. The absence of a mother while navigating the challenges of parenting is deeply felt, touching nearly every aspect of this journey.

Grief is one of those experiences that changes you forever. It reshapes the way you see the world, your relationships, and even yourself. But unless someone has gone through it, it can feel like they just don’t understand what you’re experiencing. That’s one of the reasons grief groups can be so powerful. They bring together people who truly get it, because they’ve walked this path, too.

In the midst of heartache and despair, grief can unexpectedly become a powerful catalyst for personal growth and transformation. As a grief counselor and transformational coach, I have witnessed firsthand the remarkable resilience that individuals can exhibit in the face of loss.

There are many symptoms of grief that can be overwhelming. Here is a list of ways to gain control and cope with your expression of grief.

What to give to someone who has lost a loved one? This question is often asked and although flowers are the traditional gift of condolence, there are many other alternatives.