What grief have you experienced in your life? What grows out of grief? How can you come out on the other side of grief with less burden and more life? In this podcast episode, we share our story and experience of grief and how we came out the other end. In This Podcast Summary * Disclaimer * The grieving * The first steps of questioning * Coming out the other side Disclaimer If you have had these experiences before or are currently pregnant, please proceed with caution, or even skip this one altogether. There are difficult matters discussed, so come with a fortified heart and compassion to this episode. The grieving You were at home in bed grieving, not having words and not knowing how to act but just putting one foot in front of the other and it’s like we were walking in quicksand. It was like time had slowed down and it was hard to move, it was hard to breathe, it was hard to see a future that was good. (Billy Eldridge) Both Billy and Brandy had to grieve in their own ways, then together, and then as a family. They did have a community that supported them through where they could receive support, walking together where they could with others, before having to walk the rest by themselves. I think that that community that we had, whether they understood what we were going through or not, they saw us hurting and I will be forever grateful for the people that did that. (Brandy Eldridge) Over time, many of Brandy’s friends came forward with stories of miscarriages or stillbirths that they had experienced. And I’m like I didn’t know all of this because there’s this secret community of women that suck it up. There’s this group of really strong women that don’t want to share their emotions because people don’t like talking about things that are sad, me included. (Brandy Eldridge) The first steps of questioning The immense intensity of the grief that Brandy went through made her begin to question her faith. Her relationship with God changed, and she still works through it, evolving it to suit her authentically and not simply accepting what everyone around her takes for granted. These first steps of questioning the norm led Brandy and Billy to truly deepen their faith by reconstructing it and finding out what it truly meant to them, and not what it meant to be seen by others in that way around them. Coming out the other side All that to say, there is hope and there is reconstruction, and our story is different and everyone’s story looks different but everyone’s story is just as important to how we shape ourselves and the people we become. Through grief and through suffering there is growth and also beauty in the midst of darkness and in the midst of where things that won’t grow, life will grow. (Brandy Eldridge) Books mentioned in this episode Jonathan Fann – Grieve Like a Man: Finding God’s Strength As You Walk Through Your Loss Useful links: * This is Us: Family Episode | Episode 46 * Olive Tree Counseling * Sign up here for the free Beta Male Course Meet Billy Eldridge Meet Billy, the resident beta male. For Billy, this is a place to hang out with other beta males and the people who love them. We’re redefining what beta males look like in the world. I have learned to embrace my best beta self, and I can help you to do the same. As a therapist, I understand the need to belong. You belong here. Join the REVOLUTION.