We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Chelsea Ohlemiller. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Chelsea below.

Hi Chelsea, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is my upcoming book- “Now That She’s Gone: A Daughter’s Reflections on Loss, Love & a Mother’s Legacy”. This book and project is really visible evidence of healing in the aftermath of losing my mother. In 2017 my entire life changed when she passed away at only 57. In the midst of a pain I’d never felt before and a future void of the greatest woman I’ve ever known, I started writing. I wrote to process, to heal, and eventually that journey led to doing the same for others experiencing profound loss.

When I found the courage to share my story, my words, my reflections on grief and loss, it transpired into a beautiful online community of other grieving hearts– supportive, uplifting & vulnerable in their comments and sharing. The individuals that showed up, reading my words, are the reason that my immense pain got to take a great purpose through the creation of this book.

I initially wrote to heal, and now, my only hope is that I’m making my mother proud from eternity and that this delicate book reaches the heart and souls that need it.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Before grief and the loss of my mother, I was a passionate and energetic educator. I loved my job and loved my career path. After my mother passed away, things changed. The fragility of life became known in ways I’d never learned about or experienced. After taking some time off, it was evident I’d be taking my creative forces in a new way. Eventually, that led to becoming a published author and a writer dedicated to normalizing grief and the elements of loss.

Professionally, I am best known for my social media platforms and blog, Happiness, Hope & Harsh Realities. My first book titled, “Now That She’s Gone” will be released August 13th. My work has been featured in multiple publications, such as: the national bestseller “So God Made a Mother” and two Chicken Soup for the Soul books. I’ve also been published online by platforms such as Her View From Home, Christianity.com, (in)courage, Love What Matters, Scary Mommy and more.

I live in Indiana with my husband and three children, who are all the driving force behind everything I do.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My entire focus and intent in my work is to give words to grieving hearts that might not have them and help those experiencing loss feel less alone and lifting in hope and light. My other driving force and mission is to make my mother proud from eternity– to do something meaningful with her legacy.

Everything I do is to ensure we acknowledge the power of grief’s impact on the lives of those that remain. Nothing can truly prepare you for the death of someone you love, but we can certainly help bring awareness about the harsh realities that life brings when death finds someone in your life.

My goal as a writer is to share the raw truth and also spread the light and hope that is sometimes hard to see when in the depths of mourning.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Resilience is such a complicated word. Often times it leads to the pressure that we need to be strong and brave and hurry through our healing. To be honest, I’m not sure I am resilient, for that means I’ve recovered. I don’t think you truly ever recover from grief but instead remain a constant source of healing– always healing, forever.

Others might tell you I’m resilient, but really it’s the same as when people tell you you’re strong. I often tell people that when they observe something that looks like strength in a grieving heart, it’s actually survival. We do what we must. We carry on because we have to. We step forward, because there is no alternative.

As imperfect beings with complicated hearts, I’d like to think that we’re all a blend of conflicting things, depending on the day and time. Some times we hold strength, while other times we hold weakness. Some times we hold bravery and resilience, and other times we stand confused and broken by the reality and future that stands before us. We’re a delicate mixture of loss and love, always.

So, to answer the question, I think my constant walk with grief is my story of resilience. I think it’s the constant pursuit to carry on while carrying the ever-changing weight of grief and grief’s aftermath.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hopeandharshrealities.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/hopeandharshrealities
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopeandharshrealities/
• Other: Book: https://hopeandharshrealities.com/book/

Image Credits

Headshots by Chalais Randle Photography (used with permission)