To our family and friends,

We wanted to write a quick update, as it’s been two months since our Greta Jolene died. In these weeks, days and hours we have been experienced the deepest pain we could imagine, yet it’s been marked by moments of joy and fragments of hope. We are still operating day to day right now and doing our best to navigate this grief while still showing up for Sullivan, each other and trying take care of the basics of living life. For us, that’s been one of the toughest parts. The reality that time keeps going and life seems to be pulling us slowly back into it whether or not we’re ready.

Andrew has been back to work now for a few weeks and I am gearing up to go back on November 2nd. I started a yoga teacher training 9-month certification course to help heal and hopefully gain strength mentally, spiritually and physically. Sullivan has been doing great and we try to talk about Greta often. We always include her in our songs at night and he consistently adds “with God...” whenever we talk about her. Yes, sweet Sully. Greta is with God now.

We have used the money that was generously raised in Greta’s honor and chose to refurbish a bench on the north side of Lake Nokomis, about ¾ of a mile from our house. It will have a plaque and be dedicated to Greta. It is surrounded by yellow wild flowers with a gorgeous view of the lake and brings us so much peace. This spring, there will also be a tree planted in her name. We’d love to have a dedication event, maybe even with a blood drive happening at the same time to share the space with our friends and family and honor Greta.

We also want to extend gratitude for the support and love we’ve received from our communities. So many of you have asked what you can do, and I think the best thing we can come up with, which was advice passed down from a dear from on mine, is just keep showing up. You can ask us about Greta and you can say her name. Please don’t be afraid or think that by asking about her, you’ll bring on pain or sadness. We’re always in pain and feeling sadness, regardless of if the people around us recognize the loss of our daughter. Remember her with us, send extra love on the 9th and 13th of the month. Reach out to go for a walk, get a beer or coffee or just text to check in. This journey as we grieve Greta’s death isn’t going away anytime soon, and as we move forward we will continue to need to lean on those around us.

Thank you for being our community and our people. Thank you for your love for us and for Greta.

In gratitude,

Liz, Andrew and Sullivan