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Hey everyone,

I just posted a new entry over on The Jen Journal. It’s a bit of a raw, honest look at the 'hot mess' reality of grief—including a turkey baster, a car engine disaster, and how I’m leaning on my village and my grandbabies to keep moving forward. I’ve also added a new page to the site dedicated to Greg’s memory that is very special to me. To read it, just head on over to the blog section—you can click the bars at the top right of the page to open the menu.

Also, just a quick note that I still don't have my Facebook account restored; it was disabled due to a simple naming issue, and I really miss chatting with you all there! Please feel free to reach out to me right here on the website for the time being. I’d love to hear from you.

Hey everyone! 🤍

​First of all, a huge welcome to those of you who have joined The Lounge over this past week. Since we are brand new and just getting started, it’s completely normal that things are quiet around here. Stepping into a new space and sharing from the heart takes time, and there is absolutely no rush. You are welcome to just sit back, breathe, and look around for as long as you need.

​Because we are still small and growing, I want to make sure you know about another option if you’re looking for a bit more daily interaction!

​We have a private sister community on Facebook called Widowed & Still Rising. If you already spend time on Facebook, it might feel a little easier or more familiar to jump into the conversations happening over there.

​The choice is entirely yours:

• ​Stay right here: Keep checking into the Lounge as…

​Hey everyone, a new entry is up, and this one is for my fellow members of the midnight shift. If you’ve ever found yourself staring at the drywall at 3:00 AM counting texture bumps, you are not alone.

​I’m sharing my personal "Midnight Toolkit"—from auto-brew coffee insurance to the blackout volume brown noise I use to drown out the heavy silence. I also get entirely real about the salt-in-the-wound frustration of putting in overtime just to try and lose consciousness.

​Head over to the blog to check out the routine, cast your vote in our new midnight check-in poll, and grab a few tool recommendations to try tonight.

​On a gentle personal note, I know how heavy and exhausting these long nights can be. I truly hope you can find a pocket of comfort tonight, anchor your mind, and finally get a peaceful, good night's rest. 🤍

People ask why I chose the lotus for The Jen Journal. Honestly, a rose felt too "Hallmark," and a daisy felt too cheerful for someone carrying a massive trunk of grief.

The lotus is different. Here’s why it’s my icon:

• It actually likes the mud: A lotus doesn’t grow in clear, bottled water. It starts at the bottom of a murky, messy pond. It grows in the "F#*K THIS SH#T" moments of life. It literally uses the sludge as fuel to push toward the surface.

• It’s a master of the "Reset": Every night, the lotus submerges back into the river water. Every morning, it rises and blooms again, completely clean. It doesn’t pretend the mud isn't there; it just refuses to let the mud stain the petals.

• It’s remarkably stubborn: It pushes through the weight of the water every single day just to see the sun. It doesn't wait for the pond to…

  
  

  

I'm so glad you're here! Take some time to peruse some of my entries, and then feel free to write something of your own or drop a comment!

Looking forward to traveling this journey with you.

Jen