The Baurers’ story begins like many typical ones do: in small town USA. Life was full of beautiful moments both big and small, and even the tough days they tackled together. Then, tragedy struck with Jeff’s unexpected passing. The family suddenly found themselves confronting such questions as:
- How do we live day-to-day?
- Where do we go from here?
Grief rewrites the playbook of your life and it impacts each of us differently.
For Lilo, the loss of their father and the related grief heightened their undiagnosed mental health issues. Each day turned into a struggle for survival while navigating the loss of their dad and accepting their own identity.
As a mother, Margaret found herself in an unexpected battle in which she had to manage her own grief of losing her husband while also protecting her child from a life threatening mental health condition.
Together, they found a community. Groups of mental health experts and families dealing with similar situations helped them open their hearts and form new relationships to their family, each other, and themselves.
While Margaret and Lilo’s story is far from complete, their outlook is now brighter. Each day brings its own struggles, but also its own rewards—after all, that’s what living is. You don’t move on from the people you love, but you can move forward. Their story is one of hope and inspiration to immerse yourself in every moment.
Today, Margaret and Lilo are still healing, but they’re stronger, more open, and closer than ever before.
Hopeward Healing meets you where you are.
Lilo is a champion for teens and young adults facing the troubled teen industry, including mental health challenges. Lilo is currently a student pursuing a career as a licensed therapist. They are an avid writer, poet, and a drag artist in Iowa City where they love to perform and express their gender identity. Lilo is an advocate for authenticity and self expression when it comes to being a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Margaret is an advocate for parents and guardians seeking resources and standing up for change for their children. She is a mother of three children and currently lives in Illinois. Margaret enjoys traveling, reading and is a wine enthusiast.
Hopeward Healing is proud to offer a variety of programs to support people experiencing grief and struggling with mental health challenges through honest communication, group coaching, and poetry workshops.