Healing, Grief, and Other “Schmidt”
By Jim & Niki Schmidt
Hi, we’re Jim and Niki Schmidt. Welcome to our space for healing, a place where grief meets growth, coffee fuels the soul, and we make sense of all the “Schmidt” life throws our way.
We never thought we’d be here.
Not just here, as in writing a blog, but here in this life, this role, this new version of reality. Life takes us in directions we never expect, and ours changed forever the day we lost our daughter, Gabby.
Losing someone you love to domestic violence isn’t something anyone is ever prepared for. It wasn’t something we ever imagined could happen to our family. And when it did, we were left with overwhelming grief and no guidebook on how to survive it.
But here we are. Breathing. Growing. Moving forward, one step at a time. This blog is a space where we talk openly about grief, healing, trauma, and all kinds of “Schmidt”. We’ve learned a lot on this journey. Some healing through our own pain, and some from the people we’ve met along the way. What we’ve come to understand is that grief isn’t linear, and healing doesn’t come with a timeline.
We’ve found ourselves on a roller coaster of emotions, learning to allow what comes rather than shut it down. We’ve had to let go of compartmentalizing everything just to get through the day. We’ve had to stop holding in the anger and start making room for the tears, the truth, and the growth.
We’ve discovered healing in places we didn’t expect, and found unexpected internal strength from deep within.
And if we’re being honest, the collision of old wounds with new trauma can feel like a recipe for disaster. But through faith, love, therapy, community, and a whole lot of coffee, we’ve found ways to keep moving forward. We’ve overcome more than we ever thought possible, and we know that if you’re reading this, you might be on your own journey too.
This blog isn’t just about loss. It’s about transformation. It’s about advocacy, healing, honoring the ones we love, and learning how to live again. It’s about being human.
Whether you’re here because you’ve faced something similar, or because you’re curious about how to support someone who has, or maybe just because you needed a moment to breathe and reflect, we’re glad you found us.
So grab your coffee. Settle in. Let’s talk about grief, growth, healing, and the slow journey beyond the life you knew before.
With love,
Jim & Niki
Guests on Our Dead Dad’s Podcast