Because of Emily
A Grief Blog Centered Around Stories of Love and Loss
Sharing Emily, One Story at a Time
Welcome to Because of Emily, a grief blog where love and loss intertwine. Here, I share stories of my love, Emily—her life, her legacy, and how she inspires me even after her death.
Emily had big dreams for the future, dreams to make the world a better place. While she only completed a small number of these goals, I believe that sharing my grief journey with others can help her continue to change the world, even in death.
I hope that sharing my story helps others recognize the complexities of grief and embrace life wholeheartedly, just the way Emily did.
"Live a Wholehearted Life"
These were the words Emily lived by from the moment she received a life-changing heart transplant on December 23, 2017 until she died almost five years later. She felt a profound calling to make the most of her life and maintain her donor’s legacy. Now, I am doing the same, keeping both Emily (and her donor) alive through the stories I share and the actions I take to make this world a better place.
Recent Reflections
Because I Never Liked Him
I have a love-hate relationship with the Memories feature on Facebook. I greatly enjoy when it provides pictures or videos of the kids when they were younger, and I often laugh over the ridiculous stuff I posted when I was in college. But then there are days like...
Because We Got High
I built a desk this evening. The directions said it would be best to build it with two people, but I'm home alone and always up for a challenge, so I decided to try it solo. Around 9:00 pm, I realized I never really ate dinner, so I decided to have half of an edible...
Because She Loved Costumes
This year is probably the best Halloween the kids have had since 2021. Sure, it rained this evening and ruined our plans to Trick-or-Treat with some of our friends, but the costumes they had for this year were awesome and we got plenty of candy at the Trunk-or-Treat...
Because We Were Finally Home
I don't know what it is about visiting Knoxville, but I always come home feeling clear-headed and refreshed. I think it's partially all of the time I spend at the cemetery, as it's become a cathartic place for me to spill out all of the thoughts and emotions I'm too...
Because She Loved Birthdays
Yesterday was my birthday. If you read my previous post, then you'll soon realize my birthday is just two days after the day Emily died. That connection in and of itself makes my birthday a very difficult time. However, if you add in the knowledge of how Emily...
Because I’m Exactly Where I Need to Be
Yesterday was the two year anniversary of Emily's death. Like last year, I decided to spend the weekend in Knoxville with her parents. It's been months since I've made the trek, and at first I felt a bit apprehensive. I questioned whether her parents would want me...