Beyond Grief
A deeply moving memoir of a mother’s journey through unimaginable grief—and her courageous path toward healing, renewed purpose, and a legacy of enduring love.
Learn more about the author here: eglicolonstephens.com/biography
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When Natalia passed away at 24, Dr. Egli Colón Stephens lost her only child, the center of her world—yet she refused to be silenced or diminished by grief.
In Beyond Grief, Egli continues her conversation with Natalia, sharing a faith tested by fire, the questions that still linger in her soul, and a brave—almost defiant—decision to keep living as an act of love and devotion to her daughter.
As a teenager, Natalia overcame cancer and went on to become a professional model and body-positivity advocate, living with rare strength and purpose. Years later, after a second diagnosis of a rare and aggressive cancer, she faced life with unwavering courage, leaving a lasting mark on all who knew her.
Since Natalia’s passing, Egli has transformed their story of resilience into a message of strength and hope. She was interviewed twice by Oprah Winfrey for Oprah Daily and has shared her story through Guideposts, SHARE Cancer Support, the Dominican Writer’s Conference, podcasts, and international speaking engagements. Her emotional response to seeing Natalia featured in a Delta Air Lines campaign after her passing was covered by Today, Newsweek, Yahoo, Blavity, and TheGrio, among others.
Beyond Grief, Egli’s memoir interwoven with excerpts from Natalia, is an invitation to move through grief without denying it, to transform absence into guidance, and love into legacy—with a deeply moving foreword by Elaine Féliz.
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In Beyond Grief: Living as Natalia Would Have Wanted, Egli gives us a narrative that not only tells her story but opens up a space for deep connection for all who have gone through pain, emptiness, and rebuilding. - Elaine Féliz, Author of Crisis y Liberación
Beyond Grief is much more than the story of a mother coping with the loss of her daughter; it is a journey through goodbyes, pain, love, and resilience. Through its pages, Egli reminds us that, even after so many losses, life can give us back beautiful moments of love and reasons to be grateful. A deeply human and moving book that teaches us that grief does not end with love: love finds a new way to live. - MSA
I read it quickly—which is a testament to Egli’s writing and the story she is sharing. I’m amazed at how she is able to continue this loving relationship with her daughter, Natalia, from beyond. Egli shows so many of us that it’s possible and beautiful to continue loving. The chapters were strong, captivating, and memorable, and left me knowing there is so much more to come from her. - Carolina Pichardo
It’s been an honor to have had the opportunity to read this memoir during the production process, with all its nuances, accompanied by a basic guide for parents and those around them… a work of art! I know many will feel deeply connected to it! - Tere Carrillo