Everyone has experienced the loss of someone they love. I certainly have experienced this more times in my life than I can even recall. The passing from this world can be unexpected and tragic. It can be expected and merciful. Whether losing a loved one that has lived a long, happy life or losing one who’s life was tragically cut short, the pain remains the same for those of us left to grieve. The impact of loss knows no boundaries, follows no rules and has no time table.

So many emotions fill the emptiness left by the death of people we love. Denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance are the “acceptable” emotions we are expected to go through. I, however, disagree. The void left can sometimes just remain. Depression is the hardest emotion to battle. It clings to your soul and becomes your own worst enemy. When your world is turned upside down, all you can do is hang on. Breathe in; breathe out; repeat.

It is alright to be angry. Sometimes we feed this emotion the most. It is easier to remain angry than to accept the reality of loss. We tend to push away the people in our lives that do the best they know how trying to “help” us. Grief has no mercy on the soul. It is up to us to dig deep into ourselves and find our way. We have so much more left in us than what death has taken. We just have to find it.

Some choose to turn to family or friends for comfort. Some seek professional support. Some walk the path alone. Some find strength in places they never knew before. I find my solice in the power of music. There isn’t anyone who knows the rollercoaster going on inside my head and heart like I do. No matter how hard I try to explain, there will never be full understanding. I never have to explain myself to music. I find the songs that reflect my emotions and just get lost in them. I may never be able to explain how I feel, but I can find a song that can.

Music is my therapy. Some songs are so powerful, they can change what direction I am headed. Listening to the right song is so powerful that it’s like a reflection of myself. When I hear that reflection, I can find my way. Music touches my soul. Music heals my soul. Music makes living with the loss of a loved one easier to do. Carrie Underwood sings it best: “You can’t cry pretty!” Martina McBride gives you hope in “I’m Gonna Love You Through It.” Brandy Clark sings what my soul is screaming in “Since You’ve Gone to Heaven.”

We must search for a way to live beyond the loss to honor our loved ones. To just survive is not what they want us to do. When they left this world, they left it up to us to keep their memory alive. Out of grief and tragedy can come strength we never knew. We will find this strength in our own time and in our own way. Our life and story continues….