The House That Built Me

Grief and gratitude aren’t mutually exclusive.

This is my childhood home. I grew up in a small town with a neighborhood full of kids, lightning bugs, 80s music, and a large family full of humor and personality.

My dad was one of the funniest people I’ve ever known. He was a storyteller with a colorful vocabulary. He was fun and present, and he bought the best cards.

Although it’s been over a year, it still doesn’t seem possible that he’s gone.

There are no words or fixes for grief. But with the pain, there’s also so much gratitude. For the wild ride that was my childhood. For my family and friends. For memories.

Grief and gratitude aren’t mutually exclusive. There’s room for both.

. . .

“The House That Built Me” is a beautiful song by Miranda Lambert.
If you haven’t heard it, it’s worth a listen.