Moving Through Grief: Finding Meaning in Loss

Learning to Live with Loss

Grief is something that every person will experience, yet it never looks or feels the same for any two people. Sometimes it’s the loss of someone we love deeply. Other times it’s the loss of a pet, a relationship, a sense of safety, or even a version of ourselves that no longer exists.

For me, grief arrived in the form of losing my dog, Twyla. She came into my life at a time when I needed her most—a quiet, loyal companion who offered me unconditional love and a kind of stability that I had never truly known. She wasn’t “just a dog.” She was my constant source of comfort, my steady presence, and ultimately, my greatest teacher in both love and loss.

This is Twyla & I on our drive home after I adopted her. The air was filled with a quiet excitement as she settled beside me, eyes wide and curious. In that moment, a new chapter began—one marked by trust, companionship, and the promise of many journeys ahead together.

The Lessons Twyla Left Behind

Twyla entered my life during one of its most difficult chapters. She followed me from room to room, sat by my side, and had a way of simply being there when I couldn’t find the words for what I was feeling. When she passed on January 21, 2025, the loss was overwhelming. The house felt quieter, and even the smallest routines carried an ache that was hard to describe.

As time has passed, I’ve come to see that her love continues to shape me. In her absence, I’ve learned to nurture myself with the same gentleness and consistency that she gave me. I’ve worked to care for my inner child, to show compassion to myself, and to create the kind of emotional safety that she so naturally embodied. Grief, I’ve learned, is not only about the person or being we lose—it is also about the parts of ourselves we rediscover in their absence.

You could almost always find Twyla curled up beside me during any quiet moment — she had a way of turning even the simplest downtime into a moment of comfort and connection.

When Grief Feels Bigger Than Words

Grief rarely arrives in a way that feels neat or understandable. Sometimes it feels sharp and consuming; other times it comes in quiet, unexpected waves. It can show up when you least expect it—in a familiar sound, an empty space, or a memory that catches you off guard.

It is also important to remember that grief is not limited to death. It can emerge after the end of a relationship, a major life transition, a change in identity or health, or the loss of a pet or a long-held dream. Whatever its source, grief changes us. It slows us down, softens parts of us, and invites us to find new ways to carry love and memory together.

Finding Meaning in the Pain

In his book Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief, David Kessler expands on Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s stages of grief to include a sixth—finding meaning. He writes, “Meaning is what we make after the loss, when we are ready to remember with more love than pain.”

That idea has stayed with me. Grief doesn’t disappear; it transforms. Over time, the pain softens, and we begin to remember with tenderness rather than despair. Meaning doesn’t erase the loss—it allows us to continue the relationship in a new way, one rooted in memory, love, and gratitude.

Through my work as a therapist, I have witnessed how grief, though profoundly painful, can become an opportunity for growth and deeper understanding. Many clients come to therapy feeling lost in their pain, unsure how to keep living without the person, pet, or identity they’ve lost. Together, we explore how to honor both the love and the absence, learning to hold them side by side.

A permanent reminder of a once-in-a-lifetime connection. Two matches—one for each of us—symbolize a love that continues to burn gently, even after loss. The number 443, etched below, marks the days we shared and the countless ways she changed my life.

You Don’t Have to Move Through Grief Alone

At Hope Counseling PLLC, we understand that grief is deeply personal. It does not follow a schedule, and it cannot be compared from one person to another. Whether your loss is recent or something you’ve carried for years, our therapists offer a safe, compassionate space to help you process, reflect, and heal at your own pace.

Our team provides trauma-informed, evidence-based therapy to support you through grief, loss, and life transitions. We offer care that honors your unique experience and recognizes that healing does not mean forgetting—it means finding ways to keep love alive in new and meaningful forms.

Hope Counseling PLLC offers virtual therapy throughout Colorado, accepts insurance, and provides inclusive, affirming care for all individuals and families. Grief may change your story, but it does not have to define it. Healing begins when we allow ourselves to feel, to remember, and to be supported in the process.

If You’re Ready to Begin

If you are struggling to make sense of a loss—whether it is the passing of a loved one, the loss of a pet, or a transition that has reshaped your life—we are here to help. You do not have to move through grief alone.

Reach out today to schedule a consultation or learn more about our services at hopecounselingpllc.org. You deserve care, support, and a space to rediscover meaning, no matter what form your grief takes.

Grief Counseling in Colorado | Virtual Therapy | Insurance Accepted