Miss You Already: Living and Loving Through Anticipatory Grief

"This is anticipatory grief, the grief that shows up before the loss."

Meagan and Staci's friendship was unexpected. They met in their forties, long past the age when most people believe they've already found "their people," yet from their first conversation, it felt as if they'd known each other forever. Both were ambitious, hard-working women, and they became fast friends--sharing dinners, double dates, vacations, and the everyday details that knit lives together.

But everything changed when Staci was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. Their conversations were no longer about double dates and vacations. They were about when Staci had chemo, who would accompany her to doctor's appointments, and--something they never thought they would have to discuss--how much time Staci had left.

Meagan and Staci's former lives were gone. They both had to learn how to live in this new reality--Meagan with the fact that her time with her best friend was limited and Staci with a terminal diagnosis. They felt unmoored, unsure how to live in the moment while also confronting their fear of what they knew was coming.

They soon discovered that what they were living through actually had a name: anticipatory grief. They were mourning what they still had before it ended, a completely natural phenomenon that occurs as you anticipate a loved one's death or the end of something substantial, like a career or marriage. With this realization, Meagan and Staci knew they weren't alone.

Miss You Already is not just the story of Meagan and Staci's friendship; it is also a guide for anyone experiencing anticipatory grief and struggling to cope. Featuring journaling exercises, stories of others as they care for sick parents or try to save a failing marriage, and mental health resources, this book combines real-life advice and examples with the science behind anticipatory grief. For anyone fighting through grief before loss, this is for you.

Meagan Davies is a licensed professional counselor and former nonprofit leader whose work centers on helping people navigate transition, grief, and meaning. Meagan brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work, grounded in the belief that healing and leadership are inseparable. She lives in Atlanta with her husband, Tim, and their dog, Cooper.

Staci Fox (she/her) is a lifelong advocate, nonprofit executive, and unapologetic optimist. Although she was born in Georgia and educated at the University of Georgia, Staci spent years moving from state to state. She currently serves as CEO of the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute. Before that, she spent more than two decades working in reproductive healthcare. She is a devoted partner to Greg Cole, a lover of live music, a passionate home cook, a proud Georgia Bulldog, and someone who believes deeply in celebrating life.

Together, Meagan and Staci write with truth, laughter, and profound tenderness, naming what so many people carry quietly.