My Story

My name is Deirdre Jones and I am the founder of Bridging The Grief, LLC But before I was a founder, I was a mother.

A 13-year-old girl who found out she was pregnant in April of 1987, by August I turned 14.
And in January of 1988… my son Christopher was born.

I didn’t just grow up raising him… we grew up together. Christopher wasn’t just my son. He was my first love. My reason and proof that I could do anything in life no matter how hard things got.

By age 15, Christopher was 7 months old. And at 16, I had a toddler.

And through every stage of my life…he was right there with me.
We learned life together.

Then… October 13, 2022. In the early afternoon… My life changed forever. My Christopher… was taken from me.

There are no words big enough for that kind of loss.      

  • No preparation.
  • No roadmap.
  • No “right way” to grieve a child.

And what I learned in that moment…is that grief doesn’t just break your heart…It can isolate you.

People mean well. 
They say things. 
They try to help.

But unless you’ve lived it… there’s a depth you just can’t reach.

That’s why grief support groups matter.

Because in those spaces… you don’t have to explain your pain. Someone already understands it.

But here’s what I also discovered:

Even grief support groups… can feel alone. 

  • Different groups…
  • Different missions…
  • Different people…

All doing powerful work—but doing it separately.

And that’s where the problem is.

Because grief is already heavy… Why are we carrying it in isolation—even in our support systems?

When grief circles support each other, something powerful happens.
We create more than circles. 
We create a network of healing.

A place where:

  • No one falls through the cracks
  • No story is “too different”
  • No grief is misunderstood

I have to be honest with you… There were moments in my grief where I didn’t know where I fit in. 

I questioned myself:

  • Was I too broken?
  • Was my pain too heavy?
  • Would anyone truly understand what losing Christopher was like?

And those question…is what gave birth to Bridging The Grief, LLC.

Not just as a name— But as a mission.

I’m not here to create another grief support group.   I want to bridge them.
I want to connect:

  • Mothers to mothers
  • Stories to understanding
  • Pain to purpose

There is no competition in grief.

  • No one wins.
  • No one comes out untouched.

So, there should never be competition in how we show up for each other.

Instead, ask:

How can we support each other… so we can better support the community as a whole?

Imagine a world where every grief support group is connected.
Where if someone walks into the wrong room—they are gently guided to the right room where their needs can be met. 
Where no one is turned away.
Because we chose collaboration over separation.

My son Christopher’s life…did not end with his death. 
His life continues through me. 
Through this work. 
Through every mother who feels seen or unseen …every story that is heard and shared …every heart that begins to heal.

Grief is heavy.
But when we carry it together… it becomes survivable. 
And when we support each other in that process… healing becomes possible.

This is Bridging The Grief. 
This is the work. 
And this is how… we heal better—together.

Thank you. 

Deirdre Jones, Founder 

 

Our history

The History of Bridging The Grief

Bridging The Grief was born not from theory—but from lived experience.

It began in the quiet, often unbearable space that follows loss. A space filled with unanswered questions, emotional overwhelm, and the deep realization that grief is not something to “get over,” but something to learn how to live with.

The Origin

The foundation of Bridging The Grief traces back to the personal journey of its creator, who experienced profound loss that reshaped every aspect of life. In navigating that loss, it became clear that traditional messages about grief—moving on, staying strong, or finding closure—did not fully honor the complexity of what it means to grieve.

Instead, grief revealed itself as:

  • A lifelong relationship, not a temporary condition
  • A deeply personal and evolving experience
  • Something that requires support, not silence

From this realization, the concept of “bridging” emerged.

The Meaning of the Bridge

The “bridge” in Bridging The Grief represents the space between:

  • Who you were before loss
  • And who you are becoming after

It is not about leaving grief behind.
It is about learning how to carry it—with intention, compassion, and strength.

This philosophy challenges outdated grief narratives and introduces a more holistic, human-centered approach:

  • Honoring continuing bonds with loved ones
  • Integrating emotional, spiritual, and physical healing
  • Creating space for both pain and growth

The Evolution

What started as a personal healing journey gradually transformed into a mission:

To support others navigating grief in a way that feels real, safe, and validating.

Bridging The Grief evolved into:

  • A platform for storytelling and shared experiences
  • A resource hub for grief education and support
  • A space where individuals can feel seen without judgment

It integrates multiple approaches, including:

  • Emotional processing and narrative healing
  • Spiritual exploration and meaning-making
  • Holistic practices such as nature therapy, mindfulness, and energy work

The Purpose Today

Today, Bridging The Grief stands as more than a concept—it is a movement toward redefining how we understand and support grief.

Its purpose is to:

  • Normalize the lifelong nature of grief
  • Provide tools for navigating daily life after loss
  • Encourage authentic expression without timelines or expectations
  • Help individuals rebuild identity while maintaining connection to what was lost

Looking Forward

Bridging The Grief continues to grow with every story shared, every life touched, and every moment someone feels less alone in their pain.

It is not a destination.
It is a path.

A bridge that reminds us:

You do not have to “move on” from grief—
you can learn to move with it.