Through unimaginable heartache and pain, Ashley has found peace and even joy after embarking on a journey of true healing that she is now sharing in her book I Am Here: The Journey from Fear to Freedom.

I recently got to speak with Ashley on my Parenting Great Kids Podcast. I encourage you to listen to the full episode here, but here are a few thoughts Ashley shared on how to process grief, move forward, and start rebuilding your life.

Ask What’s Beneath the Fear

“When we lost our older two kids, I spent most of my waking hours in fear,” says Ashley, “and it was fear I was never going to see my kids again. It was fear that I failed as their mother. It was fear that they don’t know if I love them.

“One day I was driving home from a therapy session, and I saw a little girl who looked like my little girl, and I had to pull over on the side of the road because I just broke down. I missed her so much, I didn’t know how to keep moving or breathing through that…I had this little thought: What if it’s not…