ANTICIPATORY GRIEF
The Real & Important Grief Before Loss
Are you aware we grieve when we anticipate the death of something or someone we love? Grief before loss is as real as after loss. I was not aware until after my twenty-four year old daughter died from a lifetime battle with a genetic disease, cystic fibrosis. She was diagnosed at five weeks old. I assisted her in her battle, as well as later providing care to my father-in-law with dementia, and my mother with stage 4 melanoma.
The diagnosis of a life-shortening or life-altering illness is the most familiar. But other circumstances share the same journey: life transitions, divorce, and aging. The grief has an official name, anticipatory grief. Though the journey is shared, each person’s expereince is unique and significant.
Art for Grief Care is a service that educates,, equips and encourages anyone on the journey.
Knowledge is power. Anticipatory grief is a season, the autumn of loss. When we educate ourselves with its universal nature of emotional and mental stress, we can be better equipped for our unique journeys. Anticipatory Grief: A Journey of a Thousand Losses and Endless Grace, is the culmination of my six year journey of grief I took after Hannah died. I had much loss to grieve that I could not afford to grieve before she died (or so I thought). The book is foundational to Art for Grief Care, a safe place to become aware of, to understand about, and to express about, anticipatory grief.
Imbedded in our grief before and after loss, is a true and good story of hope, beauty and goodness that is we can experience through our tears. My blog, Scripture in Color: Soul Care in Word and Art explores and assists you in your discovery. Follow my blog for answers: What does it looks like? Why does it shine brightest in grief and not in happiness? How can we live honestly without being overwhelmed or judged? What hope, beauty, and goodness is imbedded in my journey?
Be encouraged through online Art for Grief Care community. Participate in guided art and writing prompts and skillsAsk a question. Practice healthy habits (art being one of them), live with hope, support others and be supported on your journey.
Follow Art for Grief Care Instagram to be refreshed with words and images of hope, beauty, and goodness
© 2026 Tracy K Pratt