Sibling Grief

My Story

On May 20th, 1989, my brother John died. He was 18 years old and a month shy of earning his High School diploma. I had just graduated from college and a week away from my 22nd birthday. On that otherwise perfect spring day, life shifted for me; everything changed and yet the world kept moving forward, business as usual.

For a long time I felt stuck in a cycle of grief that no one seemed to understand. My parents were trying to process their own grief and couldn’t understand why I wasn’t coping with mine the same way. I had a circle of supportive friends, but they couldn’t truly understand what I was going through (and I was glad they couldn’t relate.) I went to a therapist who didn’t understand the unique nuances of sibling grief. I attended a support group that was geared toward parents with siblings as an afterthought.

The idea of starting a support group, writing a book, and being of service to others who are also dealing with the loss of a sibling has been with me all these years. Recently, that voice has become especially persistent. The time to put this into motion has arrived.

I’m not 100% sure exactly how this will unfold; consider this the beginning of a work in progress and a journey I look forward to sharing with whoever feels called to join me. I’ll be writing about my experiences and sharing the stories of others. A monthly support group is in the works, as well as an online resource center that will include books, articles, videos, and other content in the area of sibling grief. My aim is to reach as many people as possible who need this kind of support, so I want to know what you need and what you would like to see, hear, and learn.

If you are interested in joining the support group, please fill out the form below. Your information is completely confidential. Your participation is completely voluntary.