I’m preparing for a busy week working on the Final 48 project documentary with my fellow classmates from the Doc Studies program at Duke University.  I plan to keep you updated on all social media sites.  So, be sure to follow/like @Steelelens on Periscope, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Every Tuesday on Periscope, I host “Let’s Talk About Grief!” #GriefTalkTuesday 

One of the most popular questions I receive is, “why did you decide to talk about grief; how did it start?”

Well, similar to many of you that will read this I resisted the idea of talking about my journey with grief. I thought this is my road and I must venture alone. No one wants to hear me complain, or listen to my sob story about how I wish things were different. That feeling of what could I have done to save my dad. 

I had to come to the realization there was nothing I could do. The forty-eight hours before he passed was a rollercoaster of emotions. The person that I admired my entire life as a pillar of strength was physically weak, and there was nothing I could do besides love on him. Then it hit me. Maybe that’s all I was supposed to do. Love him into his transition. 

I grieved internally. The grief that I experienced began to spill to my external appearance. My hair fell out, and I gained a lot of weight. The heaviest I had ever been. I was depressed and finally determined the only way I was going to bounce back was to keep the promises that I made to my dad a couple of hours before he passed away. 

My strength encouraged others. The times that I felt the weakest I had people around me that were inspired. I felt broken but I “appeared” to be so strong to my peers. Who knew that my story would encourage or inspire others. 

If my story had an impact on others just think what would happen if I had others that wanted to share their journeys with grief. I became mind blown at the possible outcome. 

I began with my IPad, a few questions, and went to work! As of today I have over 25 hours of footage for the project, and I still feel like it’s only the beginning.  My purpose is to not only provide a comfortable platform to talk about grief, but to inspire and encourage others that the journey is far from over. Keep going!