Grief Reflection Newsletter
by Patricia D. Freudenberg
There is only one and only you. Just like our fingerprint, we are uniquely created. And while we may share traits, traditions, or even generations of resemblance, the truth remains: there is only one you — and there was only one them.
As a certified end-of-life coach, my deepest focus and calling lies in legacy. While I support all stages of emotional well-being, legacy is the light I guide others toward — the light at the end of the tunnel in the grief journey. I call legacy the seventh stage of grief, an evolution of the original model.
After denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance, and finding meaning — a stage taught by David Kessler — comes legacy. Though David and I do not work together, our messages complement each other on the spectrum of grief recovery. His focus on finding meaning lays the foundation for what I believe naturally follows: honoring through legacy.
Legacy is healing. It’s the stage where remembrance becomes active. It is how we preserve the influence of a loved one through storytelling, memorial services, charitable acts, creative expression, and living by their values. When we lean into legacy, we move from grief into purpose. And purpose is where healing takes root.
But legacy is more than tribute — it becomes a personal transformation. In remembering them, we begin to remember ourselves. We find the one and only us again.
Legacy is self-love. Legacy is self-discovery. Legacy is choosing to live a life worth remembering.
By telling our stories, building traditions, or giving back, we affirm not only the value of their life, but the value of our own. Our resilience becomes visible. Our growth becomes intentional. And our lives, too, become a legacy.
This is why I teach that legacy is not just the final chapter in someone else’s story — it’s the new beginning in yours.
Live a life to be remembered.
The one and only you.
Prompt for Reflection: In what ways have you honored the one and only legacy of someone you’ve lost — and how are you shaping your own? Reflect on a story, value, or moment that continues to influence your life today.
Book Recommendation: Sacred Success by Anthony D. Shannon
In Sacred Success, Dr. Anthony D. Shannon explores the profound intersection of faith, purpose, and achievement. This empowering guide invites readers to align their personal and professional goals with divine principles, offering insight into how sacred ambition can lead to sustainable, soul-fulfilling success. It’s a timely companion for those navigating grief, transition, or reinvention—reminding us that legacy begins with living intentionally. A must-read for those committed to walking in purpose with grace and vision.
Available on Amazon ⬇️
© 2025 Patricia D. Freudenberg, Certified End-of-Life Coach. All Rights Reserved
