For many, the idea of experiencing joy while grieving can feel foreign, even disloyal. How can laughter coexist with loss? How can light exist alongside something that feels so heavy? In the 6 years that I’ve been doing this work, I’ve heard this over and over. It just feels strange to be happy when you feel like you should be sad for the rest of your life.

The truth is: joy and pain can and do coexist.