Rev. Colleen Irwin

When Loss Creates Space: Awakening After the Death of a Parent

Freedom After Pain

What do I mean when loss creates space?  Sometimes, healing begins not in grief, but in freedom. When my father died, I didn’t fall apart—I stepped forward. He had been abusive throughout my life, shaping how I saw myself and every relationship I entered. With him gone, something unexpected opened up: space. And in that space, I said yes to a last-minute opportunity that led me to Lily Dale—a place I didn’t know I needed. The moment I arrived, I remembered who I was. I felt at ease, at home.

Lily Dale: A Sacred Training Ground

Lily Dale became my training ground. It was the place where I healed, learned, and slowly forgave myself for all the ways I’d carried pain. Each demonstration, interaction, and quiet walk peeled away another layer of who I wasn’t—revealing who I truly was beneath it all. I didn’t rush it. I tried to, but I soon learned Spirit had a different timeline for me. There’s no fast track to becoming. But there is a path.

Healing Through Mediumship

Mediumship came slowly for me. At first, I wasn’t ready to connect on my own. But Spirit found ways. The messages I received from fellow students during those early days brought healing—one small piece at a time. Each message spoke to something I hadn’t yet said aloud. Spirit saw me when I wasn’t yet ready to see myself.

A Message for Women Seeking More

To the woman in her second phase of life, wondering why she feels drawn to something more—even if she doesn’t know what that “more” is—I say this: honor that nudge. You don’t need to understand it. Just follow it. Say yes to the class. Try the workshop. Explore the unknown. It’s not about choosing the “right” path—it’s about allowing the journey to shape you. None of it is wasted. Even the detours teach us something essential.

There’s no need to rush. Spirit is patient, and your soul already knows the way. You are not behind. You are exactly where your healing begins.

Loss Creates Space

If your heart feels heavy or restless, let it be the gentle whisper of Spirit calling you home. Trust the sacred unfolding—even when the path seems hidden, every step is held in light. Begin with a quiet breath, a soft yes, and watch how the layers fall away, revealing the soul that has always been waiting to shine.

Your awakening is as inevitable as the dawn.