Episode 90: Meaning Making

When Andy first died, I didn’t want anything good to come from his death. I selfishly wanted everything about it to be 100% horrible. I didn’t want there to be a silver lining. Perhaps that is why it annoyed me so much when people tried to cheer me up in...

Episode 87: Bryson’s Mom

‘For some people, it takes 70 years for them to make an impact on the world; for Bryson, it took just 7.’ – Amanda, Bryson’s Mom Over the past 20 months, I have heard about many amazing children through their powerful stories. None, however,...

Episode 84: Ivan’s Mom

Grieving the death of your child is horrific, but grieving it publicly is even worse. When Ivan died in his fraternity room while he was away at college, his mom, Velvet, desperately wanted to know what happened to him. His own sister learned of his death by people...

Episode 82: Sibling Grief

Siblings are often referred to as ‘the forgotten mourners.’ People worry about the parents of a young person who dies. They worry about the spouse and children of an adult who dies. The siblings, however, never get the focus. ‘How are your...

Episode 78: Sladen’s Mom

There are times I meet bereaved parents when I feel an instant connection to them. When I first heard from Sladen’s mom, Kelly, I felt that bond. It is almost like having a long-lost sister that I finally get to meet. When she talks to me about life after the...