A Life Bigger Than Grief: My Conversation with Melissa Hull
Gentle note: this post includes discussion of grief and child loss.
This week on Hope Comes to Visit, I had the honor of talking with Melissa Hull—bestselling author, international speaker, coach, and a mom who turned unspeakable loss into loving action. After losing her son, Drew, Melissa began sharing water safety in preschools, telling the truth about grief with tenderness and courage, and eventually writing Dear Drew: Creating a Life Bigger Than Grief.
Presence Over Platitudes
We don’t have to fix the unfixable. “I’m here. I don’t know what to say. I love you.” That’s it. Melissa’s phrase presence over platitude has lived in my bones since she said it.
The Letter That Became a Lighthouse
Early on, a fellow bereaved mom wrote Melissa a letter inviting her to choose life—to make daily choices that still point toward joy, meaning, and connection. It didn’t erase grief; it gave it direction. Melissa describes grief as a dance—the tempo changes, and we learn to move with it.
Making Room for Love and Ache
Holidays can turn up the volume on longing. Melissa’s reframe: make room for both gratitude and ache. In her family, they speak Drew’s name, share stories, and sometimes gift written memories. Those memories are treasures.
If You Want to Help
Ask instead of assuming. Offer something concrete. Show up. If you’re the one grieving, it’s okay to set your limits and leave early. Fifteen minutes still counts.
Why this matters: None of us escapes grief. Melissa reminds us that while loss changes everything, it doesn’t end everything. Hope isn’t a mood; it’s a practice.
Resources & Links for Connecting with Melissa
Guest: melissahull.com
Book: Dear Drew: Creating a Life Bigger Than Grief
Earlier memoir: Lessons from Neverland
If you’re navigating loss, you’re not alone. A counselor, a group, or a friend beside you can make all the difference.
Thank you for listening to Hope Comes to Visit. If this conversation helps, follow the show, share it with someone who needs hope today, and leave a review – it helps others find their way to these conversations.
New episodes drop every Monday, so you can begin your week with a little light and a lot of hope.
For more stories, reflections, and ways to connect, visit www.DanielleElliottSmith.com or follow along on Instagram @daniellesmithtv and @HopeComestoVisit
xo, Danielle
