Complex Grief, Child Loss & Finding Peace Even Without Answers | Michelle Colpean | Part 1

How do we find peace when there is no sense to be made of our pain? What can we do to lean into a more complex understanding of loss and grief? How can we trade platitudes like "everything happens for a reason" for a deeper understanding of the way pain and joy can coexist in our lives?...Dr. Michelle Colpean is a communication professor at the University of Cincinnati. She received her Bachelor's in Psychology and Master's in Communication Studies from Ball State University and her Ph.D. in Communication Studies (Rhetoric) from the University of Iowa. She is the mother of Sami, who passed away suddenly on January 12, 2021, at 8 months old, and Salma, who is about to turn 1 year old. Michelle uses her background in communication to help her survive the grief of losing her son and continues to write and present on the topic of grief, among other things. Michelle also makes Personalized Car Charms which she sells on Etsy, to support others in remembering the people they love that they have lost.In this conversation, Michelle talks about the many roles and relationships in her life that define her and how she doesn't try to compartmentalize them. Michelle shares about her son Sami, who passed away when he was 8 months old. Abbie and Michelle discuss how Michelle experiences grief, how her memory was affected during that time, and how she finds meaning in her life now. Importantly, Abbie and Michelle explore the perspective and beauty that Michelle has found after Sami's passing, while questioning the helpfulness of any comment that starts with "at least" and the idea of finding a "silver lining." Finally, Michelle shares her experience of both joy and pain and how she has come to understand their relationship in her life. ...Stories Lived. Stories Told. is created, produced & hosted by Abbie VanMeter.Stories Lived. Stories Told. is an initiative of the CMM Institute for Personal and Social Evolution....Music for Stories Lived. Stories Told. is created by Rik Spann. Find Rik on ⁠YouTube⁠....Follow Michelle on InstagramCheck out Michelle's Etsy ShopRead more about SamiEmail me! [email protected] me on InstagramSubscribe on YouTubeCheck out my websiteLearn more about the CMM Institute.Learn more about CMM.Learn more about Cosmopolis 2045.Learn more about CosmoKidz.Follow the CosmoTeenz Fellows' work on Instagram.