In the wake of the devastating Fourth of July floods in Texas Hill Country—where families faced unimaginable loss—our hearts are especially heavy. Grief, when it hits so suddenly and deeply, can leave people feeling isolated and overwhelmed. Many of us are left wondering: What can I possibly do to help?

Mother’s Day is everywhere—cards in the stores, brunch reservations, picture-perfect posts—and for many, it’s a day filled with celebration. But if you’ve lost your mom, the day can feel like a sharp reminder of what’s missing. Here are 7 ways to get through Mother's Day without your mom. 1. Let yourself feel everything. 2. Create a personal ritual. 3. Log off if you need to. 4. Honor her in spirit. 5. Talk about her. 6. Lean on others 7. Be gentle with yourself. 

A few weeks ago, my twin boys' preschool teacher unexpectedly passed away. Of course, this was a huge shock to all of us and incredibly sad news. She was beloved by her students, her family and friends. This is the first person in their short lives that they'd lost. Here is how we honored her memory as well as other ideas.