So many of us lost loved ones as COVID-19 swept through our communities, each of us with our own story of love and loss. But what about when those stories include our children? Melanese Marr-Thomas is a two-time Amazon bestselling author and entrepreneur, and she joins Stacy Francis on this episode of Financially Ever After Widowhood to share her powerful journey of love and loss. Melanese opens up about the devastating impact of losing her husband to COVID-19 and the challenges she faced as a widow and single mother of four children. Through her authentic and raw storytelling, Melanese offers a glimpse into the depths of grief and the resilience it takes to navigate life after loss. She shares some of the practical tools in her upcoming book, What the Grief? A Widow's Grief and Loss Becomes Lessons of Hope and Triumph, that helped her and her children, including honest communication, grace, and space. Tune in to this episode to gain insight, inspiration, and a reminder that it's okay not to be okay. We must be open and honest with children about grief. Melanese created a safe space for her children to express their emotions by sharing her own struggles and giving them permission to not be okay. Melanese shares her concept of "grief storms," which are intense waves of emotions, where grief is likened to a tornado that destroys everything. These destructive waves of grief were harsh at first, but became easier to manage as Melanese allowed herself to feel and work through her emotions. Connecting with others who are grieving provides solace and understanding. Melanese highlights the value of Facebook groups, grief support organizations, and therapy in navigating the journey. Being silent about grief hinders healing and support. Being vulnerable and open inspires others. Losing a spouse means the loss of shared dreams. Melanese shares her struggle with rebuilding her life and finding a new identity, particularly for her food truck business. Her husband was “the grillmaster.” Giving oneself grace and space to heal is crucial. Melanese shares her toolkit for coping with grief, including water aerobics, adult coloring books, and spending time in nature. Grief is a lifelong process, and there is no specific timeframe or expectation to "get over" the loss. Love and grief coexist. ResourcesMelanese Marr-Thomas on LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Website | Hope Certain InstagramEmail: hopecertain2022@gmail.comStacy Francis on LinkedIn | X(Twitter)Email: stacy@francisfinancial.comFrancisFinancial.com