Dr. Sharon Spano’s story is shaped by love, loss, and the long work of staying open when life refuses to follow the plan. From early experiences of not knowing where she belonged to the years of loving and caring for her son Michael, her journey is a reminder that grief does not arrive cleanly or leave on schedule.
Listen to the episode here:
This conversation does not rush toward meaning. It allows grief to exist alongside joy. It honors the way loss reshapes identity without asking us to close our hearts or hurry toward closure. Sharon speaks to the quiet strength that grows when we stop trying to fix what cannot be fixed and learn how to stay present instead.
THREE things to think about
Some losses do not ask to be solved. They ask to be carried. When we stop trying to fix what cannot be fixed, we often discover a different kind of strength waiting underneath the effort.
Grief does not move in straight lines. It shows up in ordinary moments, unexpected places, and quiet memories. That does not mean you are doing it wrong. It means you are human.
Identity can shift after loss. Who you were before may not fully return. That does not mean something is broken. It may mean something deeper is being formed.
TWO things to ask yourself
Notice where you are still trying to force closure around something that deserves more time and care.
Reflect on how grief or loss has quietly reshaped the way you see yourself, even if you have never named it out loud.
ONE thing to try this week
Create ten quiet minutes with no distractions and write one sentence that begins with, “What I am still learning to carry is…”
Do this once this week and stop there.
If this episode resonates, I hope you will listen and let it meet you where you are.
And if something stirred while reading this, you are always welcome to reply and share what you are carrying right now.
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I created a short-form podcast, “It’s Okay If…” Each episode is under three minutes long and provides a permission slip to be human. I’d be honored if you subscribed to the show. New episodes are released every Wednesday at noon ET.
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