What Your Loved Ones Really Want

A few days ago, I returned from being at a conference that I never thought I would attend.  I found myself in a room with 900 parents who have lost their children (along with thousands from around the world watching virtually).  One month prior to this conference, I was introduced to this amazing organization called “Helping Parents Heal” and even though it was completely sold out, a seat and a hotel room just ‘happen’ to open up for me within a short 48 hours of hearing about it. I knew without a shadow of a doubt I was being guided to attend.

To describe being in a room with 900 other parents (and siblings) who have been through this pain one way or another cannot be done. The only word I can come up with is surreal. There was no need for any formal introductions and small talk. We all ‘knew’ each other on a level that you simply cannot understand unless you have been there.

For four days we had speaker after speaker (and breakout workshops) from people who were well educated on the topic of Heaven and God.  

On the other end of the spectrum we had those well-versed on the afterlife, scientists talking about shared energies (both physically and those on the other side), people who had near death experiences, and people who are very aware and connected to those souls that have passed.

I will candidly tell you that if you had asked me eight years ago if I would attend one of these types of conferences I would have laughed.

With each of my losses, I have been completely broken open and more connected to God and the Holy Spirit than I ever was by simply attending church and Bible studies. (Both still very good things).


There is no way to tell you everything I learned and how I was changed, however, there is one thing I want to share that was the common message from every speaker:

Your loved ones are with you all the time and what they want most for you is to move on with your life and be happy. Easier said than done but here is the visual one of them shared that I will never forget and helped me to make a big shift. If it were YOU who had passed, how would you like your loved ones to live? In brokenness? In guilt? In sadness all the time, especially when you think of them? Of course not! You would want them to find joy, remember you with happiness, and continue to have fun and create new relationships while you are still here!


I pray that whatever your loss has been, you know that they never left you; their souls are full of nothing but love and gratitude for you, and they want to see you smile more.

Personally, I am smiling when I talk to them now because I know they are smiling at me and it’s beautiful.