The Two-Sided Coin

The last time I pulled my Sweet Julia Grace, the inspiration behind The Sweet Julia Grace Foundation, up into my arms was on November 4, 2013, and it was to tell her 'good-bye for now'. 

If someone had told me in that moment just how much my heart would break—and somehow love even more, all at the very same time—I would have said, “Impossible.”

And yet… that is exactly what has happened.

In the midst of my broken heart, it has also been so incredibly full. And with each sweet Raindancer and every family I have the honor of knowing, it fills even more.

Through the pain of loss, I’ve learned that a heart can be full and broken at the very same time. We’re used to choosing—either “my heart is so broken” or “my heart is so full.”

But what if it’s both?

What if this is how we are meant to live—holding both the beauty and the heartbreak at the very same time?

---

What do you call a heart that aches and overflows all at once?

The only way I know how to describe it… is like a two-sided coin.

---

It is quite a beautiful mystery, you know… this two-sided coin.

On one side—pain, sorrow, grief, and sadness. On the other—peace, joy, gratitude, wonder, rejoicing, love… and so much more.

And somehow, we are invited to hold both.

To feel each side for ourselves…and to carry it for others, too.

A shared weight. A shared beauty.

A broken HEART… that is also full.

Each time a family comes into my world and I get to know them, my heart feels both sides of that coin with them. Romans 12:15 speaks of this truth…

“Rejoice with those who rejoice [sharing others’ joy],and weep with those who weep [sharing others’ grief].”

In other words… share in their two-sided coin.

It’s ok. Don’t be afraid to share.

We are stronger together.

We can learn from one another…lean into one another—pain, joy, mess and all.

It really is beautiful. It is an honor.

So here’s to all of you with broken hearts that are also learning to be full again…and to those of you showing up for others—in the pain, the joy, the mess, and the beauty.

Living, loving, being loved, learning, healing, and helping others.

You are experiencing just how precious life can be—even when it is hard.

Julia taught me deep ways to love and be loved. She knew how to do both well.

Isn’t that what it’s all about anyway…

So love, and be loved—in the midst of your broken heart.

Show up for those in your life, even when you don’t know what to say.

This is how we carry and share the two-sided coin.

I miss you baby girl......thank you for the LOVE you left behind. 

I promise to keep the fire burning.