Life is hard.

My first introduction to difficult, real deal, they-don’t-teach-you-this-in-school, life stuff was during my sophomore year of high school when my dad was diagnosed with cancer and passed away soon after.  

Since I first declared “life is hard” during those days, more than a decade ago, like anyone, the years have been filled with both ups and downs. However, I didn’t know that many of “the down” parts of those days were fueled by grief, anxiety and depression.

Lingering grief fueled anxiety, anxiety masked depression and it all worked together to create many tough moments, days, and weeks.  Part of what would help bring me back up were the incredibly kind people in my life and their thoughtful gestures, big and small. So often, even just a “thinking of you text” or listening ear, among many others, made me feel remembered, understood and that my feelings were valid.   

Whether it is  a small as a “bad day” or as big as a life-changing loss, when someone we care about is enduring a negative experience,we often feel a natural pull to want to do something for them. However, oftentimes it is quickly followed by not knowing where to start or a worry of doing the wrong thing.

Alternatively, our worlds are filled with other life changing moments and people all the time! Babies are born, future leaders graduate, work spouses get promotions, friends get married, etc. These are all moments to celebrate!

(And when new moms get tired get tired, teachers are overworked, our co-worker is overwhelmed or romance hits a rough patch, let’s be there for those moments too. Because LIFE. IS. HARD)

While it began by being affected by grief, Little GIves is just my little corner of the internet to connect and share ways to support those we love when they need and deserve it most.

Plus, some other stuff.

Can’t forget about the other stuff.