Our Why

So often I am asked how Brighter Days Family Grief Center came to be.

What is Your “Why”?

Like many founders, I have a story…actually, my family has a story. I sometimes share it with a little more emotion than I would like but nevertheless, I tell it because it brought me here.

Today, however, I was reminded of all of the other stories that have been shared with me since we opened our center. I was reminded about why Brighter Days matters to so many more families than just mine; especially the ones who needed us before our vision came to life.

Yet, no matter how much we have to offer, and no matter how welcoming our space, it does not change the fact that our presence is also a reminder of pain. A pain felt by so many families that can never be compared, or judged, or reversed.

So, rather than try to repair the irreparable we offer our support, our compassion and our wide-open hearts.

We don’t leave after the funeral. We don’t judge where you are at or how you choose to grieve or give you a fictional timeline in which to do so.

We don’t expect you to be strong when you meet with us or to know what questions to ask, and we certainly don’t expect your pain to disappear just because we are here.

We walk beside you, and we try to offer all the things that we needed when our own lives were on a similar path.

We provide professional resources tailored to match your needs now, several months from now, and even a year from now. Like access to grief support, grief camps and retreats for your family, connections to other families, psychosocial support, and so much more.

We provide a list of first steps to deal with the overwhelming logistics, help with social security paperwork, free consultations with financial and legal advisors, and assistance in communicating with friends, family, schools, and employers.

What is most special about Brighter Days, however, is this village. Our village. Made up of so many families like yours and mine who accepts your brokenness, and stays to help you re-build.

Even when it seems impossible.

A village that will not judge your decision to move forward any more than it will judge your inability to put one foot in front of the other.

A village that will be your lifeline for as long as you need, and will always have its door open.

So today, rather than share MY Why, I want to share OUR Why: 

Simply put…it’s you.❤️

Please reach out to us today, and know that you do not have to go through this alone.

Warmly,

Carolyn Kinzel, Founder

carolyn@brighterdaysgriefcenter.org