Your story shook something loose in me. I want to thank you for your vulnerability and the grace with which you shared Davian and Jadon’s journeys. I, too, once failed to stand beside a grieving mother... my friend...whose daughter was tragically taken by a monster in Texas. I met her as a teenager, and even in my thirties, I didn’t know how to show up in her grief. I didn’t understand what she needed.
Later, my wife helped me see that she not only lost her child, but also a friend who might have held her hand through the darkness. That realization has stayed with me. Recently, I learned that my friend turned to alcohol and is now losing that battle. It breaks my heart.
I’m not here to judge anyone’s path or beliefs. My own spirit guides walk with me through Native American and Wiccan traditions. Though our paths to healing may differ, I believe all sincere prayers rise to the same sky.
What I’ve come to understand is this: grief can isolate, but presence can heal. Even if we don’t have the right words, just being there matters. Just like your friend told you, heal yourself first, then you can hold space for your partner. That truth echoes across all walks of life.
I am truly sorry for your loss. I grieve with you. And I pray that you continue to find strength, even in the shadows. Thank you for the courage to speak out about your loss and share so others will know they are not alone.
With deep respect, Steve
Native American Prayer for Children (Sioux Prayer) Translated from Lakota
English: Grandfather Great Spirit, All over the world the faces of living ones are alike. With tenderness they have come up out of the ground. Look upon your children that they may face the winds and walk the good road to the Day of Quiet. Fill us with the Light. Give us the strength to understand, and the eyes to see. Teach us to walk the soft Earth as relatives to all that live.
Lakota (approximate transliteration): Tunkasila, Wakan Tanka, Maka kin he oyate ki he ni kin he. Wóksape un, wóohitika un, Wówačhiŋyaŋ un, wówaŋyaŋg wašte un. WíyakA makA kiŋ he, Wówačhiŋyaŋ un, wówaŋyaŋg wašte un.
I had tears in my eyes reading about your friend and their loss, as well as, your own reflection after reading our stories.
I also found your prayer at the end to be absolutely beautiful and encouraging. You are right, we come from different backgrounds, differing spiritual walks, but at the end of the day, we all are human and will return to the dust from hence we came.
Thank you so much for your insight and wisdom. I pray that you can forgive yourself for not knowing. Most of us don’t know until we are met with someone who is walking through a tremendously hard loss or we walk that path ourselves. I am thankful for your willingness to grow from your experience. You will have the necessary knowledge on how to approach sensitive topics and situations moving forward because you were willing to do the work on the front end.
You are such an inspiration to me and I am so thankful for you sharing your story and prayer. You are always welcome in this space.
Reading this with tears in my eyes. Such heartbreak. I get why you struggled with your faith. So often we hear the stories of trust, but not so much the realness of loss and the clouds that hide the one who is to comfort. My heart aches for you and Cassie....the desire to be parents.
Dear Life on the Other Side,
Your story shook something loose in me. I want to thank you for your vulnerability and the grace with which you shared Davian and Jadon’s journeys. I, too, once failed to stand beside a grieving mother... my friend...whose daughter was tragically taken by a monster in Texas. I met her as a teenager, and even in my thirties, I didn’t know how to show up in her grief. I didn’t understand what she needed.
Later, my wife helped me see that she not only lost her child, but also a friend who might have held her hand through the darkness. That realization has stayed with me. Recently, I learned that my friend turned to alcohol and is now losing that battle. It breaks my heart.
I’m not here to judge anyone’s path or beliefs. My own spirit guides walk with me through Native American and Wiccan traditions. Though our paths to healing may differ, I believe all sincere prayers rise to the same sky.
What I’ve come to understand is this: grief can isolate, but presence can heal. Even if we don’t have the right words, just being there matters. Just like your friend told you, heal yourself first, then you can hold space for your partner. That truth echoes across all walks of life.
I am truly sorry for your loss. I grieve with you. And I pray that you continue to find strength, even in the shadows. Thank you for the courage to speak out about your loss and share so others will know they are not alone.
With deep respect, Steve
Native American Prayer for Children (Sioux Prayer) Translated from Lakota
English: Grandfather Great Spirit, All over the world the faces of living ones are alike. With tenderness they have come up out of the ground. Look upon your children that they may face the winds and walk the good road to the Day of Quiet. Fill us with the Light. Give us the strength to understand, and the eyes to see. Teach us to walk the soft Earth as relatives to all that live.
Lakota (approximate transliteration): Tunkasila, Wakan Tanka, Maka kin he oyate ki he ni kin he. Wóksape un, wóohitika un, Wówačhiŋyaŋ un, wówaŋyaŋg wašte un. WíyakA makA kiŋ he, Wówačhiŋyaŋ un, wówaŋyaŋg wašte un.
I am in awe of your comment. Truly.
I had tears in my eyes reading about your friend and their loss, as well as, your own reflection after reading our stories.
I also found your prayer at the end to be absolutely beautiful and encouraging. You are right, we come from different backgrounds, differing spiritual walks, but at the end of the day, we all are human and will return to the dust from hence we came.
Thank you so much for your insight and wisdom. I pray that you can forgive yourself for not knowing. Most of us don’t know until we are met with someone who is walking through a tremendously hard loss or we walk that path ourselves. I am thankful for your willingness to grow from your experience. You will have the necessary knowledge on how to approach sensitive topics and situations moving forward because you were willing to do the work on the front end.
You are such an inspiration to me and I am so thankful for you sharing your story and prayer. You are always welcome in this space.
Phew, my eyes are leaking, thank you
Reading this with tears in my eyes. Such heartbreak. I get why you struggled with your faith. So often we hear the stories of trust, but not so much the realness of loss and the clouds that hide the one who is to comfort. My heart aches for you and Cassie....the desire to be parents.