Elsa from Frozen would simply say: “Let it go!”

Nick Nilson, in his book You Can Live The Dream, writes about releasing the past so we can step into God’s promises for the future. Those words have been echoing in my heart lately.

I know God’s promises are not just “around the corner”, they are already here.

For the last few months I’ve been resisting letting go. Even right now, part of me still wants to cling to the sadness, to stay in the mourning, to keep reliving the ache. Looking at another old photo of Jessica these past two days, my heart broke all over again with fresh regret and longing.

But I also know I cannot stay here.

Every day, one small step at a time, it is becoming easier. Not to forget her, never that, but to carry her memory forward instead of letting it hold me back. I refuse to let Jessica’s death be wasted. Her life was too beautiful, her joy too real, for her story to end in only sorrow.

God’s grace is still abounding. His blessings are still flowing. The love and support surrounding us have been overwhelming.

So I am choosing, day by day, to turn this loss into a gain for our family and for everyone around us. We are building something meaningful, something that I believe will bring hope and value to our community.

I need to lay down the “persona of mourning” and look outward again. There are so many people living in pain, lack, and struggle. What would Jessica do?

Her greatest joy always came from focusing on others, lifting them up, making them smile, loving them well.

I want to be like her when I grow up… (yes, I still say that with a smile and a tear).

So today I choose to let go of the heavy grieving identity and instead live a life that would make my daughter, my wife, and my whole family proud both here on earth and in heaven.