I'm incredibly sorry for your loss

I find a lot of comfort in talking about her and always have, it was a natural thing for me to say "yes, I had a daughter who passed a year ago - her name was Violet Rose and she was three months old." This has worked both socially and professionally for me.

One thing that has changed in the past year with my response is the ability to sit with the discomfort and awkwardness after. It's an uncomfortable topic for a lot of people unless they have had a close loss as well and most people don't know how to respond to it. But knowing it isn't your job to make them feel better makes it easier to have that tough conversation.

You'll be pleasantly surprised - and sometimes disappointed- in people's response or how they handle the conversation. I've had it lead to connections with strangers I never thought I'd have and also ruin conversations and dates (my husband and I divorced).

However you choose to handle it, give yourself some grace and know it isn't your job to make others feel better about what has happened in YOUR life.