Kristine’s Grief Journey: From Traumatic Death of a Child to Healing within Nature And Finding Purpose

Note: This is a personal story shared in the guest’s own words. It reflects their lived experience and connection with nature, not a fact-checked report. These stories are held with care and shared to inspire healing and reflection.

Today, I’m honored to share Kristine's powerful story—a journey that started with immense grief and loss of her daughter Anna, and ultimately led to her finding comfort and purpose through nature.

Kristine is a certified Forest Therapy guide, grief coach, and the founder of the Wandering Sole Sisters, a community focused on empowering women through connection with nature.

Kristine's story is a reminder that, even in our darkest moments, nature can guide us to the light.

Kristine’s Story: Finding Purpose Through Grief

Kristine was raised in Northern Virginia, where she spent her childhood camping and hiking with her family. But it wasn’t until her father’s passing in 2015 and the tragic death of her daughter, Anna, in 2019, that nature became a healing force.

“I grew up camping and hiking with my parents. When I became a mom, I took my kids out hiking and camping too. So there were three generations of us out there.”

Despite her deep love for nature, Kristine’s connection to it faded for a some time as she navigated the demands of parenting. It wasn’t until her father’s diagnosis with cancer that she found her way back to nature.

“In 2015, when my dad passed, I was just in a place of grief. My dad had been such a big supporter of me and my kids. Losing him was the first time I truly experienced deep grief. It was after that loss that I found myself back in nature.”

Kristine began to reconnect with the outdoors, initially through photography. She bought a camera and spent hours in nature, capturing the beauty around her. But as she hiked more, something shifted. The camera was put down, and the hiking poles were picked up.

“I was really into nature photography at first. But then I found myself hiking more. I didn’t need the camera anymore. It was like the trails called to me.”

This return to nature became a grounding force for Kristine, helping her heal from the grief of losing her father. But it wasn’t until the loss of Anna in 2019 that Kristine found the deeper purpose that would guide her life moving forward.

“Anna was killed by an impaired driver in 2019, and she was only 23. She is still a big part of my life, and she’s one of the reasons I’m here, connected to nature. Her death is what pushed me to become a grief coach, to work with others who are experiencing loss.”

Turning Grief into Purpose

Kristine’s grief was profound, but she transformed it into something powerful and purposeful. She took the pain of losing Anna and channeled it into building a community of women who could heal together in nature.

“After losing Anna, I wanted to share the joy of nature with others. I started the Wandering Sole Sisters as a hiking group for women. I wanted to create a safe space for women to be outdoors together.”

Kristine’s involvement in the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club expanded from volunteering as a trail talker to contributing in starting a new chapter. Her passion for the outdoors grew as she found herself in a leadership role, helping to build a community of women who felt empowered in nature.

“I became an ambassador for women’s hiking groups, and I led women-led hikes and retreats. I wanted to make sure women felt comfortable being outdoors, whether it was hiking, camping, or backpacking.”

But it was through her daughter’s death that Kristine truly found her path to grief coaching.

“When Anna died, I started volunteering with the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club. It was there I realized that helping others reconnect with nature was what I was meant to do. That’s when I decided to become a grief coach.”

Kristine found purpose in the idea of blending grief support with nature connection. She shared that she felt called to create a grief retreat center and began studying outdoor recreation and human services, combining her love for nature with her new purpose of helping others navigate their grief.

“In 2020, I became a certified Forest Therapy guide, and now I lead walks regularly in Seven Bends State Park. I do it all for free. It’s not about money—it’s about helping people reconnect with nature and themselves.”

Reflections from Me: The Healing Power of Nature

As a mom, Kristine’s story really touched my heart. It stirred so much in me.

Her journey has so much resilience and determination in finding a new path when the one you expected is no longer available. She didn’t just survive her grief—she allowed it to transform her, to give her a deeper understanding of what it means to be human and to help others heal.

What struck me most was how Kristine connected her daughter’s death to her own healing process. She took her grief and made it part of her life’s work. As a Forest Therapy guide, Kristine leads people back into nature to find some of that connection and healing she found after her own loss.

Her story reminded me of the power of community and the importance of building spaces where people can feel seen and heard—especially in their grief. It’s something that I feel deeply important, as I also see the huge healing potential in nature.

Kristine's words reaffirmed that.

“I want to help people reconnect with nature. We are nature. We cannot survive without nature.”

This is why I’m so passionate about Forest Therapy. It’s not just about walking in the woods—it’s about reconnecting with ourselves, with nature, and with the world around us in a way that allows for deep healing.

Why I’m Sharing This Story

Kristine’s story is a profound reminder that grief can take us to unexpected places. It can feel overwhelming, isolating, and all-consuming—but it can also become the doorway to a new purpose, a new direction, and a deeper connection to the world around us.

I’m sharing Kristine’s story because I believe that, like her, we all have the power to transform our pain into something that not only helps us heal but helps others along the way.

Kristine’s work as a grief coach, her dedication to building community through nature, and her deep love for the forest are all aspects of healing that I hope will inspire you, too.

Grief is a lifelong journey, but it’s one that doesn’t have to be walked alone. Kristine’s path shows us that we can lean into our grief, let it guide us, and let it open up new opportunities for growth and connection.

Kristine, Thank You

Kristine, thank you so much for sharing your story with such openness and vulnerability.

Your courage to transform your grief into a source of strength for others is truly inspiring.

You are making a powerful difference in the world, and I am deeply grateful for the work you do.

Thank you for your constant commitment to helping others reconnect with themselves and find peace in nature.

🎥 Want to Watch the Full Conversation?

Kristine and I dive deeper into her journey in the full conversation. We talk about the power of community, the importance of getting outdoors, and how grief can shape the way we live our lives.

Come join us. Listen. Reflect. Heal.

Want to Connect with Kristine?

Kristine is open to connecting with anyone who resonates with her journey and would love to share more about the power of grief coaching and nature.

📲 Feel free to reach out to her via email at natureshealingembrace@yahoo.com or follow her on Instagram/Facebook.

🌱 Over to You

What about you? How has nature helped you process grief or difficult emotions? Do you have a place in nature that feels like your sanctuary?

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

And if you’ve experienced a transformative moment in nature that you’d like to share, please feel free to comment below - I’d be honored to read your story, and if interested - feature you as a guest.

With love and respect for your journey,

Klara!

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Disclaimer: Healing in Nature Stories features personal reflections shared by each guest in their own words. These stories are not fact-checked or edited for accuracy, but offered as authentic expressions of lived experience, memory, and meaning. The intention is to create space for healing, connection, and the role of nature in each person’s journey—not to verify details or retell events objectively.

Thank you for reading with an open heart.