The Price We Pay
Grief is the price we pay for love. By sharing the burden, we can find peace and joy to temper the pain.
by Colleen A Friesen

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In the wake of profound loss, grief becomes a journey of transformation for a diverse group of individuals seeking solace, understanding, and healing. Five years after the devastating loss of her son, Colleen Friesen—a compassionate woman no stranger to sorrow—forms a grief group called The Price We Pay. Drawing from her own experiences with loss, she guides its members through the complexity of grief in sessions held in a cozy café during Saskatchewan’s blistering winter. From Sarah, a college student who recently lost her father, to Ray, a young widower battling anger and guilt, to Paul, an Indigenous man whose loss of a friend unearths long-repressed grief and reconnects him with his heritage—they discover that while sorrow may isolate, it can also ignite a personal evolution, both within and beyond. Through their discoveries, revelations, and vulnerable moments, the group grows closer together, forming a lasting bond that becomes the foundation for their future journeys in life. Comforting, inspiring, and with interactive questions posed to the reader at the end of each chapter, The Price We Pay not only explores and embraces grief and the many forms it takes, but also expands on themes of resilience, connection, and the enduring nature of love.

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Colleen Friesen is a writer, speaker, and mentor whose life has been deeply shaped by love, loss, and the power of community. After experiencing profound grief, she turned to writing as a way to heal and share her insights on finding hope, connection, and personal growth. Colleen resides in Unity, a small rural community in west central Saskatchewan, where she embraced the town’s name as a symbol of her spiritual awakening. She cherishes the connections she has built there, sharing her life with her husband, Craig, and their fur-princess, Espresso. Though her son Dylan no longer lives at home, he is a constant source of joy and support. Although this is Colleen’s first published novel, she has been writing poetry and prose since her youth. Following the tragic loss of her son Errol, she began blogging independently and contributing to Open to Hope, where she continues to share her journey. If you’d like to connect with Colleen for speaking, workshops, or mentorship, reach out—she’d love to hear from you!

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Colleen A Friesen