David and Judy Pierce created “Friends Along the Road” after the death of Lilli, their only child and best friend. With Lilli gone, Dave and Judy no longer wanted to live. Nevertheless, they managed to hang on. In May of 2000 they quit their jobs and embarked on a two-year journey through the back roads of the U.S. and Canada to see if they could find reasons to keep living. After visiting with family members, meeting many friends old and new, and doing much soul-searching, Dave and Judy came to realize that they had learned a few things about grief. Knowing that everybody dies, and that all us suffer the loss of loved ones, the couple finally found something worth living for: helping others in deep grief. The story of their journey is chronicled in David’s book, “Looking for Lilli: Living With the Death of Our Only Child”
In 2002, Dave and Judy embraced the philosophy of caring support. Finding that there are many misconceptions about grieving, they came to understand that grief is an entirely personal experience, and that no one has the right to suggest how another ought to experience it. That’s why they created “Friends Along the Road:” to make such places available, and to be able to recommend similar places created by others.
David and Judy speak with Joanna about their life journey and the insights, grief and Nature, being present to the grief, “sanctuary anywhere,” forthcoming projects, “we are all in this together”…
Music: Collection of Folk Songs (from “World Network 02: Georgia“), by Rustavi Choir & Duduki Trio Omar Kelaptrishvili
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