Turning to Generosity in a Time of Grief
This post is a little different than usual—it may feel heavier, and it certainly took me longer to write. But I hope the message resonates with some of you.
Last month, our family experienced a sudden and unexpected loss—my wonderful sister-in-law. As I’ve been trying to make sense of this grief and reflect on her legacy, one theme continues to emerge: generosity.
There are so many ways my sister-in-law embodied this quality, but what stays with me most is how generously she shared her time and wisdom. As a mom of four, her time was precious, yet she always made space for others. When I turned to her for parenting advice—from the mundane (“Should I sign my son up for soccer?”) to the heartfelt (“How do I manage the exhaustion of work and parenting?”)—she always responded with care, insight, and follow-up. Her generosity of time, wisdom, and compassion left a lasting impression.
In the weeks since her passing, I’ve seen that generous spirit ripple outward—through kind words, warm hugs, shared meals, thoughtful check-ins, and community support. It’s reminded me just how deeply the small and big gestures matter.
As I think about wellness this month, one idea keeps coming up: acts of generosity can be deeply grounding during difficult times. Whether we’re giving or receiving, they connect us, soften hard moments, and remind us we’re not alone.
So I’ll leave you with a few gentle questions:
Can we be generous with our time?
A warm hello to someone we pass by each day. A longer pause to truly listen.Can we be generous with our energy?
Reaching out to someone who’s been on your mind. Showing up to celebrate a friend.Can we be generous with ourselves?
Allowing rest. Making space for joy. Offering ourselves grace when we fall short.
These acts of generosity don’t have to be big. It’s often the subtle, everyday moments that end up meaning the most.
~ Hannah Collentine-Cole, LCSW
Individual and Couples Therapy in Midtown Sacramento
