The next few months flew by as Eleanor worked to open the estate.  She hired an events manager and a manager for the bed and breakfast side.  She partnered with local farmers and restaurants to provide catering for events and breakfast, so she didn’t have to have more staff.  The home repairs were complete and the grounds were looking as beautiful as they had when Clara was alive.  She didn’t feel ready but she also knew that she would likely never feel ready.

The events manager and the bed and breakfast manager had been involved in marketing pushes, and Eleanor planned a gala with city hall to introduce the estate back to the community.  The press and local bloggers were coming to see the updates and Eleanor hoped to make a good impression.  She needed some cheap publicity to get her vision going.

On the day of the gala, Eleanor dressed and came down to check on the last issues.  She met with Alice and the catering staff, and with Howard, and outside staff to review the parking plan.   She was expecting a crowd, but she wasn’t sure how many.  It was the first event at the estate in 30 years, and many from the community were looking forward to coming.

As guests began to arrive, Eleanor stood in the front hall, welcoming everyone and seeing people she hadn’t seen in years.  They shared stories about Clara and her grandfather, and even her parents.  Eleanor had to quickly get a box of tissues to manage the many time that tears came to her eyes as she exchanged stories and hugs.

She met separately with the bloggers and the press, sharing plans and hopes for the estate and providing some history and other information as they asked.  They asked great questions and seemed pleased as the night proceeded.

The food was a hit, and the catering company did an amazing job keeping everything moving and filled.  People toured the rooms that were to be available through the bed and breakfast, and the areas for events and weddings.  Eleanor and the events manager included some decorations so there were photo opportunities for the bloggers.  People milled about and stayed until long after the event end time had passed.  The crowd talked and laughed, eating and drinking and enjoying the evening.

Eleanor looked around and began to cry.  Her grandmother should be there, working the crowd and making connections.  Eleanor found herself in her grandmother’s office, looking at the picture of her and her grandmother on the wall.  The event was still going but she needed to take a minute to remember Clara.  She shared her hopes with the picture, talking to it as if Clara were standing in front of her.  The conversation helped Eleanor feel that Clara was with her.  Tears came to her eyes as she continued to talk with her grandmother.  Eleanor told Clara that she loved her, and that Eleanor would take it from there.

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Eleanor’s story of grief, and life, is inspiring.  She took a major loss in her life and turned it into a tribute to the person that she honored.  Her grandmother left her a legacy, but her grandmother also instilled in her the ability to believe in herself to make it happen.  That job is usually held by a parent, whose job is to teach knowledge but also to believe in their children’s abilities.  For Eleanor, it was her grandmother.

Grief is never easy.  Everyone manages grief differently.  The loss of Eleanor’s grandmother could have led her down a very different path, but Eleanor chose to honor her grandmother’s memory.  You have the same options.  If you are managing grief, think about the path you want to take.  Honoring your loved one can look very different.  Define your own path to healing.  Find your strength as you find your future.  Honor your past while you shape the future moving forward.  It’s all part of being happy, for life.