Threads of Connection: Love, Loss, and the Legacy We Leave
Some chapters of our lives are defined not by events, but by the people who walk through them with us. In this fourth installment of the Stuck to Free series, we turn our attention to the relationships that shape, stretch, and sometimes scar us. This is about love in all its forms, the lessons of loss, and the legacy we leave behind through how we live and love.
Love as the Mirror and the Bond
From our families and childhood friends to romantic partners and mentors, love shows up in different ways across our lives. Some relationships challenge us to grow, some offer refuge, and others mirror the parts of ourselves we’re only beginning to understand. The question isn’t whether love exists in our story, but how it shows up and what it teaches us.
Take a moment to think of the people you’ve loved: the first person who broke your heart, the friend who stood by you, the person who helped you through your darkest season. For me, music often evokes these memories. Lake Street Dive’s song Twenty-Five comes to mind it captures the feeling of remembering a love that, while no longer present, remains deeply rooted in who you were at the time.
Loss as the Catalyst
Loss, while painful, is also a powerful teacher. It shows us what matters most, forces us to pause, and often redirects our path. Whether it’s the death of a loved one, the end of a friendship, or simply outgrowing someone you once depended on loss asks us to reflect. It’s a marker of change and resilience.
I remember my first real experience of loss: my Grampy, my dad’s father. I was in 4th or 5th grade when he passed from skin cancer. I can still picture visiting him in Myrtle Beach, going to the local Catholic church, and praying. To this day, I keep a book he gave me as a gift about a young dancer and her perseverance. It reminds me of the strength that comes through memory.
Legacy as Living Intention
Legacy isn’t reserved for the end of our lives it’s happening now. Every choice, every connection, every word we say or don’t say contributes to the story we’re writing and the impact we leave behind. Legacy is built through how we show up: with integrity, kindness, growth, and purpose.
I’ve had the joy of people telling me how I’ve impacted them, and that shared gratitude has been a deeply meaningful part of my legacy. These aren’t grand, sweeping declarations, they’re small affirmations that the way we live matters. For example, when I was a soccer coach, I can recall a former player emailing me a year or so later, telling me the ways she appreciated my presence in her life as a coach. She also shared that maybe she didn’t have the maturity to communicate it at the time but wanted me to know. It was a reminder that our influence often reaches farther than we realize, and sometimes, the seeds we plant bloom long after we've left the field.
Pause to Reflect
Consider this: who are the people that form your inner circle? Who do you give your best energy to? Are there relationships that need more attention, or ones that you’ve outgrown but haven’t yet released?
And maybe most importantly what kind of legacy are you building in the relationships you’re part of right now?
This blog is about naming, honoring, and tending to the threads that bind us whether through love, through loss, or the impact we leave behind.
About the Author: Sarah Currie, Ph.D., LCMHC, is a therapist, course creator, and writer who helps individuals move from stuck to free. She integrates narrative work, emotional wellness, and practical tools to guide personal transformation and self-awareness. Learn more or explore her offerings at Halos Counseling.