Blog - Grief Survivor

Colossal Curveballs

Last upated: August 20, 2023 by lizgmarshall

Remember that time you planned a trip to Alaska… because you heard the Northern Lights might be visible?

But, after an almost comical series of travel complications crushed your plans, you decided to pivot, fly back home, and start over?

Then, you realized God knew exactly what you needed all along. [A few days to refresh, rest, read ridiculously fun books, and breathe (only 1.5 hours from home)].

Sometimes you don’t have to travel far to be right where you’re supposed to be.

So even if you don’t get to see the Northern Lights this week… where do you go when your soul is weary? The beach? Mountains? Camping? Somewhere else? Please share your happy place/ and a photo if you have one- please share it with us on my Author Facebook page.

In other news– the Uncrushed book launch team is starting soon (the first 3 weeks of September) … and we’d be delighted if you’d like to join us! Our first two members- one in Kenya, and one in the UK signed up today!! Crazy, right?!!

Please email beth@bethgmarshall.com if you’d like to know more.

Here’s a link to pre-order the book; and gigantic thanks to everyone who’s already pre-ordered! Pre-ordering is the best way to tell booksellers to take a new book seriously… and to be sure it reaches lots of people and places. 🙂

Happy end of Summer, everybody!

#uncrushedbook, #griefbooks, #griefandloss, #encouragement

Finger Painting with Chocolate Pudding

Last upated: June 14, 2023 by lizgmarshall

Has your heart ever been so crushed, that you weren’t sure when/ or if your old self would ever come back? For me, it was the deaths of a couple of my favorite family members~ when I wondered if our kids’ fun mom (who 100% condoned finger painting the kitchen counters with chocolate pudding)- that mom- would ever be coming back.

For you, maybe the crushing came from the loss of a dear person. Or maybe the death of a dream, or sometimes your life just isn’t where you thought it would be by now.

When life has thrown you a colossal curveball, the journey back to what feels like normal for you can take time. And energy. And more time.

Then, how do you know if you’re making any progress?

There were a few things I noticed along my journey through grief and loss that helped me know the pain wouldn’t always be so bad. The sun actually did start to crack through the darkness; and one day I was able to go to the grocery store without a fear of freaking out in the spaghetti squash aisle. There was even a day when I let the kids finger paint again with chocolate pudding. Not kidding.

All that to say- hang in there. It won’t always be this hard. I encourage you, if you’re feeling crushed right now- to let somebody in. Get coffee with a friend. Tell the truth. If you’re not “fine,” don’t pretend that you are. You are stronger than you think you are.

I am so happy to announce that my newest book, Uncrushed is coming soon- September 26th to be exact!!!

Would you consider doing the coolest thing ever for an author… and pre-ordering Uncrushed? I’ll be your best friend forever. 🙂 Here’s the link. Thank you. Thank you. You are the best.

Podcast fun with Jessye Wilden

Last upated: June 21, 2023 by lizgmarshall

Help! My friend is grieving!
Author and speaker Beth Marshall joins the Molden Cast family today. This conversation is packed FULL of wisdom and practical ways to be a great friend through the hard times. This episode, much like Beth’s upcoming book, Uncrushed, is like chicken soup for the griever’s soul—full of ingredients and ideas to help us through the toughest seasons. If you’ve ever felt like you need a “Grief for Dummies” manual, you are going to love the thoughtful advice Beth gives us here.
Beth is the author of two books and a grief-related, YouVersion plan. She’s most excited about her newest book, Uncrushed -coming this September from End Game Press! You’re gonna want to put a reminder in your phone to pre-order in August!
[thanks for the kind words, Jessye Wilden!]

Speaking of my dear California friend, Jessye, here’s her beautiful book- We Wrote Your Name In Color– available everywhere you love to buy books.

Getting Unstuck from Grief

Last upated: February 25, 2023 by lizgmarshall

It’s been 20+years since my beloved mom (aka Beazy) suddenly graduated to heaven… but I’m thinking there’s someone who might need to hear this today. Grace and peace, Beth

Have you ever gotten so caught up in grief, you weren’t sure you’d ever find your way out? I surely have.

It was four months after my mom’s hit-me-like-a speeding-train sudden death. Even though I was pretending I had this grief thing under control, in reality I was stuck and had no idea how to dig myself out of the deep sorrow. A typical day would be spent at home, safe from awkward questions and embarrassing public tears. Anybody else been there?

One morning after the kids had gone to school, I settled into my cozy chair and started to think about my mom.

What if I forget about her?

What if memories fade and I don’t remember the time she followed a speeding ambulance through rush hour Atlanta traffic to beat the crowd to Hobby Lobby? Didn’t everybody’s mom do that?

I start to write every sweet, embarrassing and hilarious story I could possibly recall. About two hours later I realized I hadn’t moved a muscle, except to write.

The most amazing thing happened that morning. As decades of memories poured out on my spiral notebook pages~ I started to smile, and even laugh again through the tears. Tears of thankfulness for this rare and extraordinary woman I called Mom.

How about you? I don’t know your story, but I do know that remembering the people we love is a beautiful way not only to honor them, but also to begin to heal. Do you have a place you can go to write their story? You don’t need an expensive journal- a spiral notebook like mine will be just perfect.

My prayer is that as you recall and write your good, bad and crazy ambulance-chasing Hobby Lobby stories, you’ll begin to see sweet glimmers of healing.

Please visit the Grief Survivor FaceBook to share a funny, sweet or memorable story about your loved one. Your stories of love, loss, life and finding joy inspire the rest of us more than you know!

Additionally, here’s a YouVersion plan I created –Grief Survivor -that will hopefully be encouraging for you.

Holiday Tips when Life is Hard

Last upated: December 23, 2022 by lizgmarshall

When you’re missing someone you love, going through a tough medical situation, or maybe life just isn’t where you thought it would be by now, the holidays may not feel like the most wonderful time of the year.

So, what do you do when sparkly lights and jingle bells don’t feel so merry and bright? Here are a few thoughts that might help.

Cry when you’re sad, smile or laugh when you’re happy- and don’t feel guilty about any of it. Sorrow and joy can definitely coexist.
Make a plan with your closest people, so that the most intense days- like Christmas and New Year’s Eve- don’t sneak up on you.
If decorating, house guests, gift buying, or holiday gatherings are sucking the ever-loving life out of you, don’t let traditions be the boss of you. It’s OK to do what you love, and let the rest go.
If you’re feeling lonely or isolated, tell somebody. Chances are, not everyone knows how tough these holidays are for you.
Make memories, instead of buying a lot of stuff. Paint pottery together, go ice skating, or (please don’t tell our grand daughters this part) take a kid to get sparkly “fairy hair.” They’ll remember those days long after the gifts are forgotten.
Take care of you. Getting fresh air, going for coffee, working out, taking a nap, creating something, or getting a massage- can spark joy, even on the toughest days. Rest is not a four letter word. [OK, so technically it is, but not the kind that got you in trouble in middle school.] Give yourself permission to rest.

Life won’t always be this hard. I promise.

I invite you to visit the Grief Survivor Facebook page to add your thoughts.

May your holiday season be filled with God’s peace and love.

What Matters Most?

Last upated: September 29, 2022 by lizgmarshall

Sorry it’s been quiet around here for a minute. Earlier this year, our family went through some really hard days with a serious illness. We’re forever grateful for all the prayers and kindness- thankfully, all is well now.

As soon as my beloved husband and I got a minute to exhale, we made the decision- after 34 years in South Carolina, to move our whole life to Flat Rock, North Carolina! I mean, why not?

The NC mountains have always been our happy place, but the most fun part about the move will be living super close to (2/3 of) our kids and grand people.

Marie Kondo-ing (brutally determining what stays and what goes) a lifetime of possessions has revealed a few things. The 1950’s Baptist Church recipe book, filled with cream of everything soup & crushed Ritz crackers drenched in “oleo” recipes…not going.

But, this tiny precious chair, lovingly hand-painted by a dear friend, is absolutely making the trip!

The colossal move ahead of us has shone a bright light on what really matters most. For us, faith, family, friends. (and fun furniture)

The scary medical season reminded me to hold my favorite humans a little closer, and tell them I love them- a lot.

What matters most to you?

If it’s your family and friends- I want to encourage you to let them know! I’ll go first. I’m thankful for you, and want you to know You Matter!

Can’t wait to get back to you soon with updates for Uncrushed (my newest book), also to tell you about some friends’ phenomenal books that are launching in the next couple weeks!! I’m talking about you, Jessye WIlden and Michelle Medlock Adams!!

(Sorry about the double printing of this post [below]! Technology… can’t live with it. Definitely can’t live without it!)