Elizabeth's Story

My name is Elizabeth Hand and I will be the lead facilitator of Healing Hearts 815. A little over 30 years ago, my family experienced a tragic loss. My sister Renee was killed in a one car accident at age 21. One minute I was hanging out with friends, and then next minute I was an only child wondering how our family would function without her. The first weeks were hard, but our home was constantly filled with friends and relatives along with lots of casseroles. Eventually, all of those people had to get back to their lives and we had to learn to live without Renee. When I returned to school, I was approached by my guidance counselor who told me that she led a grief support group. I told her, "I'm fine, I don't need a group." Thankfully, she knew better and kindly "told" me she expected me to attend. I reluctantly went for fear she would come drag me out of class anyway. The day I sat in a circle with other kids my age experiencing different levels of grief changed my life. From that day on, I attended group regularly and it was truly my savior. I lost Renee 8 days before my 16th birthday. At such a formative time in my life, I could have chosen many negative ways to express my grief. Instead, I had my group where I could sit and simply listen, or spill my guts depending on the day. My goal with Healing Hearts is to pay it forward by providing a safe place for young people to sit and listen, or spill their guts.