How Do We Teach Kids to Grieve?

In this message, I reflect on a powerful truth: we grieve the loss, but we remember the gift with gratitude. Recently, our community gathered to celebrate the life of Susan “Suzie” Smith—a woman whose compassion, courage, and decades of nursing changed countless lives. Over 1,000 people came together to honor her legacy, her faith, and her impact.

As I share memories, scripture, and the hope we cling to in Christ, I’m reminded how important it is to teach our kids not to run from grief but to walk through it with faith and gratitude. Suzie’s life was a gift. Her legacy continues through The Our Angel That Flies Foundation, and through every life she touched.

If you’ve lost someone you love, I pray this message encourages you. Watch now—and remember the gift God gave through their life.

Questions for personal reflection:

What does it mean to “grieve the loss but remember the gift”? Can both happen at the same time?

How can a person’s legacy continue to impact others after they’re gone?

Why is it important for young people to learn how to process grief rather than avoid it?

When have you seen someone use their life to serve and uplift others, the way Suzie did?