The Almost Miracle Years on Grief, Hope, and Healing – Exclusive Interview with Adrienne Bender
Adrienne Bender’s journey is a testament to resilience and the power of authenticity in the face of unimaginable loss. A mother, psychiatric nurse, grief recovery coach, and author, Adrienne has turned her personal tragedies into a mission to help others navigate grief and healing. Through her book, The Almost Miracle Years, she shares her story of finding light amidst the darkest moments and encourages others to embrace every moment, no matter the storm they may face.
Adrienne Bender, Grief Coach, Author, Health Therapist
Who is Adrienne Bender?
I started off early in life knowing I wanted to be a mother, and it came quicker and unexpected when I became pregnant at just 17 years old. I knew I wanted to make a good life for my son, so I persevered and started university when he was just 3 months old. When my son was 5, I got married and welcomed my daughter a year later, all the while attending university. Once I finished my psychiatric nurse training I began my career in children's mental health 20 years ago where I continue to work to this day.
What inspired you to turn your personal story to a mission to help others?
After my daughter got diagnosed with cancer that had relapsed and ultimately ended her life, I lost my father just 4 months later. I decided to get trained as a grief recovery coach to help others navigate grief and loss. Right when I began promoting my business I lost my son to fentanyl poisoning. This loss inspired me to write my book " The Almost Miracle Years" . I wanted to share with others that even in the darkest moments, there is light and that physical death is not the end of our story.
What makes your approach to healing and resilience different from others?
I discovered that during the most trying of times I became skilled at enjoying every possible moment, whether it be 10 minutes or a few hours. I share these moments in my book and I encourage others to find beauty and peace in each day no matter the storms that they may be facing.
Why is authenticity so crucial in the healing journey?
It is important to know that healing can be messy and ugly at times, sugarcoating things only buries the pain deeper inside. I can say I did some very unhealthy and self destructive things at the beginning of my grief journey and I share that with others, because grief and healing isn't a straightforward course, it's a maze, and it's important for people to know that it's ok to fumble through it.
For someone who feels stuck in grief or pain. What would you say is the first step toward hope?
I would say the first thing to do is feel the pain and honour it; the only way out is through. It's important to give the weight of grief and pain the acknowledgement it deserves. Once the initial weight is realized, then focus on things that have been learned from the experience and honor any beauty and joy that may have come during the journey, even if in only short pockets of time. Lastly, for anyone experiencing loss, I would invite them to realize that physical death isn't the end; the loved ones live on through memories and love that is still there, and in my personal belief, they live on in another realm
Read more from Adrienne Bender
