Introduction to the Book
Grief and Joy: My Journey of Loss and Healing—A Guided Faith Journal for Reflection and Renewal
By Nikia K. Vaughan
Grief and Joy is not just a book—it is an experience.
Born from the quiet hours of early mornings, the ache of loss, and the determination to choose joy despite it all, this guided journal invites you into an honest journey of reflection, faith, and healing.
Through personal stories, scripture, affirmations, and journal prompts, I share how I navigated the heartbreak of losing my mother, brother, aunt, and grandfather—while still finding space to honor love, family, success, and purpose.
Grief, I’ve learned, does not ask for permission, nor does it follow a straight path. It lives beside our greatest moments of triumph, and sometimes shows up when we least expect it.
This book offers you permission:
- To mourn and to celebrate
- To question and to trust
- To cry and to laugh
- To grieve and to still believe in joy
Grief and Joy is a sacred space for anyone learning to live with loss—whether it's the death of a loved one, a friendship, a dream, or a chapter of life that closed too soon. My prayer is that through these pages, you find comfort, strength, and the gentle reminder that joy is not the absence of sorrow—it is the brave decision to keep living, loving, and hoping anyway.
Thank you for allowing me to walk this journey with you.
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Author Bio
Nikia K. Vaughan
Nikia K. Vaughan is a proud Baltimore native, a passionate advocate, a licensed professional esthetician, an award-winning skincare formulator, and a heartfelt writer who approaches every endeavor with deep purpose and authenticity.
As the founder of NKVSKIN, Nikia has created a skincare line recognized for its commitment to natural healing, cultural insight, and sensitive skin solutions—earning her the title of Best Black-Owned Skincare Brand in Baltimore two years in a row. Beyond beauty, her work in rare disease advocacy, especially for the sickle cell community, reflects her unwavering commitment to service, leadership, and transformation.
Her debut book, Grief and Joy: My Journey of Loss and Healing—A Guided Faith Journal for Reflection and Renewal, was born out of a decade-long journey navigating profound personal loss. Through raw reflection, affirmations, scripture, and journal prompts, Nikia offers readers a sacred space to process grief and rediscover joy.
Nikia resides in Baltimore with her husband Charmon and their two children, Langston and Cimone. Through her writing, speaking, and entrepreneurial work, she hopes to provide encouragement, healing, and hope—reminding others that even in life's deepest valleys, joy is still a choice we can make.