Reflections on Grief: How I Honor My Sister’s Memory

February Theme: Love, Loss, and Self-Compassion

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February Theme: Love, Loss, and Self-Compassion 🩷

Feb 24th Issue

Dear Grief,

For years, I fought against you. I tried to outrun you, to push you down, to pretend you weren’t as heavy as you really were. But I have learned that grief is not an enemy. It is a companion, one that walks with me for the rest of my life.

Let’s talk real!

Losing Raven changed me in ways I am still uncovering. Some days, the loss feels raw, like it just happened. Other days, it feels softer, like a gentle reminder of how much love she brought into my life. The pain of losing her will never fully leave, but neither will the love. And that is how I choose to honor her.

I honor her by speaking her name. By making sure the world knows who she was and what she meant to me.

I honor her by continuing to fight—for warriors like us, for better care, for a future where others don’t have to suffer the way she did.

And most of all, I honor her by living. By finding joy in the midst of pain, by embracing love, by taking care of myself in the ways I wish I could have taken care of her.

Grief is not just sorrow—it is proof of love. And as long as I carry love, Raven will never truly be gone.

Final Thoughts for Februarys’ Newsletters

Love, loss, and self-compassion are deeply connected. As warriors, we know love isn’t always easy, that grief doesn’t fade overnight, and that healing is a slow and intentional process.

If you are carrying loss, know that you are not alone. If you are learning to love yourself in new ways, know that it is a journey worth taking. If love has found you in unexpected places, I hope you hold onto it tightly.

Let’s walk this journey together—honoring our past, embracing our present, and showing ourselves the same love we give so freely to others.

With love and solidarity,
Whitney Carter

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Because love isn't just about giving to others—it's about pouring back into yourself, too.