Find Purpose in the Pain For a long time, I asked, Why did this happen? You may ask yourself the same question. But while you may never get an answer, you can find a way to honor your child’s life by helping others. Some people start foundations, others volunteer, and some simply share their story to spread awareness. Whatever it is, finding a way to turn grief into purpose can bring meaning to something that feels so senseless. Thankfully, Gabby had four parents, and together, we founded the Gabby Petito Foundation. This is where we find our purpose. Our goal is to save lives, and that mission is what keeps us moving forward. If you can find something meaningful, something that connects your child’s memory to the good in this world, it may help you move forward too. Take One Day at a Time There is no timeline for grief. Some days, you may feel strong. Other days, something as small as hearing your child’s favorite song may break you down. And that’s okay. The only way forward is to take it one moment at a time. Allow yourself to feel, to remember, and to keep moving, not because you forget, but because you carry their love with you. If you are grieving the loss of a child, you are not alone. There are others who understand, who will sit in the darkness with you until you are ready to step back into the light. It will never be easy, but life continues. Love continues. And so must we.
Nichole Schmidt is the President of The Gabby Petito Foundation. “My mission, my hope, is to be a voice for victims, survivors, and their families to create meaningful change that can save lives, and help find the missing, in Gabby's memory.”
Made with FlippingBook - PDF hosting