It is with deep gratitude and respect that we share the story of Olivia Ziglinski. Her journey through grief, loss, and healing is one that moves the heart and reminds us of the strength found in vulnerability. Olivia first came to The WARM Place, seeking comfort and connection, after the loss of her brother. She attended our Sibling Loss night in the Teen Group, finding solace in a community of those who truly understood her pain. After graduating high school, Olivia chose to continue her path of healing, joining our Young Adult program to further process the grief that had impacted her life. Today, Olivia bravely opens her heart to share her story with us all—an act of courage that we honor with the deepest respect.
What is a special memory you have with your brother Kolden?
One of my favorite memories with Kolden is how he would greet me after we hadn’t seen each other in a while. He would always exclaim, “Baby sis!” with the biggest smile on his face. No matter what was going on in his life, he was always genuinely excited to see me and his family.
What do you remember from the first group you attended?
During my first night in group, we started with introductions, and I had to share what led me to attending The WARM Place. I remember how attentive everyone was as they listened to me introduce myself and talk about my brother. It was, and always is, a warm and welcoming environment at The WARM Place!
What influenced your decision to come back to The WARM Place after graduating?
I found it incredibly beneficial to be in an environment created for me to be able to connect with others in a similar age group. Although people in group, come from different backgrounds, we all share one very important thing in common, our loved ones. Being able to talk about my brother in a judgment-free space is what truly drew me back to The WARM Place. I find it both beneficial and grounding to have a place where I can speak freely about my brother. For me, sharing with a small group of people who have had similar experiences can help me feel less alone, especially when it comes to grief.
What would you share with another young adult who just had a loved one die?
I have only been on my grief journey for about two years, but in that time, I’ve learned that the best thing you can do is to allow yourself to be okay with where you are. Learning to sit with your feelings and simply observe them instead of trying to ignore them or fix them is sometimes the best thing you can do. I am still learning to do this every day.
What do you wish people knew about grief?
I wish people understood that grief never truly goes away. It changes and evolves, but it never leaves. Ten or fifteen years from now, I don’t know where life will take me, but I do know that my brother won’t be there to experience it with me. Sometimes, I think people forget that just because we don’t talk about our loved ones as much doesn’t mean we aren’t still grieving, loving, and missing them just as much as we did yesterday.
