The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. — Deuteronomy 31:8

I love this verse because it reminds us that beginning again does not mean walking alone. Whether this month feels like a new chapter, a tender beginning, or a place you never expected to be, God is not waiting somewhere far ahead for you to catch up. He goes before you. He stays with you. He does not leave you in the unfamiliar place. And sometimes that is the hope we need most, not a full map of what comes next, but the reminder that we are not abandoned in the next step.

Hi Teresa,

Wow… here we are in June.

Close to the middle of the calendar year.

And yet, I found myself thinking about how different that can feel for each of us.

For some, June may feel like a natural place to pause and look back over the last five months.

For others, this may not feel like close to the middle at all.

It may feel like the beginning.

The beginning of life after a loss.
The beginning of learning how to live without someone you love.
The beginning of a divorce or life transition you never imagined.
The beginning of caring for a parent, closing a chapter, rebuilding your identity, or simply trying to understand who you are now.

Grief does not follow the calendar.

Healing does not move because a month changes.

And your heart does not need to be “further along” just because the year is close to halfway through.

So if June feels like a fresh start, a tender beginning, a messy middle, or simply another breath you are trying to take, I want you to know this:

You are welcome here.

Exactly where you are.

When the World Keeps Moving

One of the hardest parts of grief and transition is that the world keeps moving while your inner world may feel completely changed.

The calendar turns.
People make summer plans.
Events get scheduled.
Life keeps asking things of you.

And yet inside, you may still be trying to understand what just happened.

You may be carrying questions no one sees.
You may be doing normal things while feeling anything but normal.
You may be smiling, showing up, answering texts, going to work, taking care of others… while quietly wondering when you will feel like yourself again.

Or maybe, if you are honest, you are not even sure who “yourself” is anymore.

That is why I believe we need places where we can stop pretending.

Places where grief is not rushed.
Where strength does not have to mean silence.
Where tears are not treated like weakness.
Where healing is allowed to be honest, gentle, and deeply personal.

And this month, I get to share something very close to my heart.

A New Home for Living After Grief

As of June 1st, Living After Grief has a new physical space.

Just typing those words feels emotional.

This new space will be a place where I begin hosting many of my grief groups, breathwork experiences, workshops, retreat days, community conversations, and healing gatherings.

It is being created with one prayerful intention:

To become a place where women can breathe again.

A place to walk in carrying what feels heavy and not have to explain it away.
A place to sit with others who understand that loss changes us.
A place to soften the nervous system, quiet the noise, and make room for healing.
A place for grief, faith, breath, conversation, reflection, and new beginnings.

I’ve been calling this space:  Becoming: A Space to Breathe, Heal & Begin Again

Because that is what so much of healing is.

Not becoming someone completely different.

But becoming more honest.
More supported.
More present.
More connected to God, to yourself, and to the life that is still unfolding.

This space feels like more than an office.

It feels like an answered prayer.

And my hope is that when women walk through the door, they feel something inside them gently say:

I don’t have to carry this alone anymore.

    Click to Listen

This song feels fitting for seasons when something new is being formed, and the process may feel uncomfortable or unclear.

It is a reminder that God can bring purpose, renewal, and beauty from places that once felt pressed, broken, or uncertain.

A Gentle June Reflection

Whether this month feels like a halfway point, a beginning, or a season you did not choose, I want to offer you a simple reflection.

Take a few quiet minutes and ask yourself:

Where am I really starting from right now?

Not where you think you “should” be.
Not where others assume you are.
Not where your calendar says you are.

Instead where your heart actually is.

Then, if it helps, write down your answers to these questions:

1. What feels tender in me right now?
2. What am I still trying to understand, accept, or process?
3. Where have I been expecting myself to be stronger than I actually feel?
4. What kind of support would feel comforting, grounding, or helpful this month?
5. What is one gentle next step I can take without pressuring myself to have the whole path figured out?

Sometimes the most healing question is not, How do I move on?

Sometimes it is:

What would help me feel safe enough to begin again?

A Simple Practice: One Breath, One Step

If life feels too big right now, try bringing it back to one breath and one step.

Place one hand on your heart.
Take a slow breath in.
Let your shoulders soften as you breathe out.

Then ask:

What is the next loving thing I can do for myself today?

Not the next perfect thing.
Not the next impressive thing.
Not the thing everyone else expects from you.

Just the next loving thing.

Maybe it is drinking water.
Making the phone call.
Taking a walk.
Letting yourself cry.
Opening your Bible.
Sitting quietly with worship music playing.
Asking for help.
Resting without apologizing.

Healing often begins in very small acts of honesty.

What’s Happening This Month

 Hope and Healing,

Teresa Reiniger

Grief Specialist with Living After Grief

 “My mission is to work with compassionate grieving women to navigate their path of grief, fostering resilience and finding clarity and understanding in their journey. My role as a Grief  Specialist is to support them in reclaiming their freedom to live fully and to cultivate a deeper sense of trust in themselves as they move through the healing process."

When you are ready, here are a few more ways I can empower you on your grief journey:

Book a Hope Exploration Session:

During this session we will:

• Assess Where You Are Currently:  Understand where you are right now and identify the emotional triggers that are holding you.
• Clarify Your Desires and Vision: Clarity and Understanding to live your life fully while honoring your loved one.
• Explore Collaboration: If I'm confident that I can help you, I’ll share how we can work together to achieve your goals.

Sound good? Click the link to schedule a time to talk.

Book A Call:

You can check out my podcast: Female Voice: Life & Loss. Our podcast is dedicated to women from all walks of life, providing a supportive and encouraging platform that addresses the various challenges they face. We aim to offer compassionate guidance, share diverse stories, and equip listeners with practical advice and resources to help them grow, heal, and thrive through every stage of their journey.

Podcast Click Here: