Rebecca first shared her story on the podcast in April of 2021. I'm sharing it again, because it's important to recognize that not all daughters have healthy relationships with their moms. Rebecca was also one of the daughters who shared in the Mother's Day Circle event that I released on the podcast last week.

Rebecca shares raw and personal stories about how she missed feeling loved by her mom, and how that has affected her even more since her mom's death.

Rebecca's Takeaway: You are loved. You are worthy. You can be okay, and then not okay, on your grief journey. It is important to recognize and feel your feelings, and give yourself the love that you didn't get.

All of our stories are important! If you have a story to share, please send an email to [email protected]. You don't have to be a DWOM to share your story. All are welcome!

Would you like to talk about your grief journey? Sign up for a complimentary Connection Call here: https://calendly.com/daughterswithoutmoms/30-minute-connection-call

For more information on my thoughts on grief, please visit my website, www.yourgriefjourney.com

This is a recording from the 2021 Mother's Day Circle hosted by myself, Rebecca, Lauren and Patricia. We are 4 daughters without moms who have very different stories:

There is also a meditation at the end. This is being shared in the hopes of helping other DWOM know they are not alone. 

All of our stories are important! If you have a story to share, please send an email to [email protected]. You don't have to be a DWOM to share your story. All are welcome!

Would you like to talk about your grief journey? Sign up for a complimentary Connection Call here: https://calendly.com/daughterswithoutmoms/30-minute-connection-call

For more information on my thoughts on grief, please visit my website, www.yourgriefjourney.com

Amber's first loss was a friend that committed suicide when she was 10 years old. In 2013, her mom was brutally murdered by her neighbor. 3 years later, her grandparents were in a car accident after her grandfather had a transient amnesia episode, and her grandmother died in the accident. 

Amber has written a beautiful book called If Grandma Were Here: A Book of Memories. You can find more information about Amber and the book at www.ifgrandmawerehere.com. Amber shares, "How could I tell my children, then only 3 and 5 years old, that their beloved Grandma Yvonne was gone? We’d never even discussed the concept of death. An angel, that bore a striking resemblance to my mom, helped us out. The angel gave us comfort as we talked about our loss and I was able to assure my children, and myself, that their grandmother’s love and spirit would always be with us, even if she wasn’t physically here. After our talk, my son drew a picture of my mom as an angel, showing all of us with linked hands. Ironically, perhaps it was that very illustration that would one day inspire me to create something that would, in turn, inspire and comfort other grieving families."

Amber's Take-Away: The most important way to support a griever is to show up. It doesn't matter if you are afraid, just show up. Grievers can't always tell you what support they need, so just show up and offer help. 

You can find Amber on Instagram and on Facebook as @peaceloveandpress.

All of our stories are important! If you have a story to share, please send an email to [email protected]. You don't have to be a DWOM to share your story. All are welcome!

Would you like to talk about your grief journey? Sign up for a complimentary Connection Call here: https://calendly.com/daughterswithoutmoms/30-minute-connection-call

For more information on my thoughts on grief, please visit my website, www.yourgriefjourney.com

Cinda and Cristi share the story of their mom, Jeanne. They both say that she was the best mom there ever was - just like June Cleaver. She was given 3 months to live, and lived another 8 days.

Cinda's Take-Away: Everybody grieves differently and there's no right or wrong way. Don't let anyone tell you have to grieve. 

Cristi's Take-Away: When you lose someone, it sucks, and you are going to be sad. Everyone processes in a different way and you have to be okay with it. Don't be afraid to let that happen.

All of our stories are important! If you have a story to share, please send an email to [email protected]. You don't have to be a DWOM to share your story. All are welcome!

Would you like to talk about your grief journey? Sign up for a complimentary Connection Call here: https://calendly.com/daughterswithoutmoms/30-minute-connection-call

For more information on my thoughts on grief, please visit my website, www.yourgriefjourney.com

Lindsay's mom was murdered when she was 13 months old. Even though she has no explicit memories of her mom, being a Daughter Without a Mom has had a tremendous impact on her personal journey.

You can find Lindsay on Instagram @thejoyfuljewelrybox. If you click on the link in her bio, you will find lots of grief resources.

You will also find the link to her Etsy shop in her bio, or you can find it here: TheJoyfulJewelryBox.com

Lindsay and I discuss the book Bittersweet by Susan Cain, which can be found at your local bookstore.

Lindsay's Take-Away: Honor your grief process. You don't have to make your grief public, make it a lesson or turn it into anything. You can honor your process by being vocal or quiet. Being vocal helps me cope, but it might not work for you. Make sure that you are not trying to live out someone else's grief expectation.

All of our stories are important! If you have a story to share, please send an email to [email protected]. You don't have to be a DWOM to share your story. All are welcome!

Would you like to talk about your grief journey? Sign up for a complimentary Connection Call here: https://calendly.com/daughterswithoutmoms/30-minute-connection-call

For more information on my thoughts on grief, please visit my website, www.yourgriefjourney.com

It's been over a year since I started the podcast and I wanted to share my story again. This podcast was originally shared in April of 2021.

I’ll share about losing my mom at 13, and how that affected the relationship I had with her mom and dad, my grandparents. 

My Take-Aways: 1. Don't believe the stories in your head 2. Share your story with others 3. Learn to love yourself

All of our stories are important! If you have a story to share, please send an email to [email protected]. You don't have to be a DWOM to share your story. All are welcome!

Would you like to talk about your grief journey? Sign up for a complimentary Connection Call here: https://calendly.com/daughterswithoutmoms/30-minute-connection-call

For more information on my thoughts on grief, please visit my website, www.yourgriefjourney.com

You can find me on Instagram and Facebook as @daughterswithoutmoms

Deborah shares about how she felt like her mom "left her" when she died, because she didn't take care of herself after being diagnosed with adult onset juvenile diabetes. Deborah stuffed down her grief for 30 years, and is just starting to recognize the damage caused by her unresolved grief.

Deborah's Take-Away: Don't spend 30 years with unresolved grief. Running away from it does more damage. We need to be honest with each other about how we feel. Please take the time to be intentional about your grief and allow yourself to feel it. It is hard work but it is worth it!

If you'd like to reach out to Deborah, her email is [email protected]

All of our stories are important! If you have a story to share, please send an email to [email protected]. You don't have to be a DWOM to share your story. All are welcome!

Would you like to talk about your grief journey? Sign up for a complimentary Connection Call here: https://calendly.com/daughterswithoutmoms/30-minute-connection-call

For more information on my thoughts on grief, please visit my website, www.yourgriefjourney.com

This week is my birthday. I'll actually be 52, but I wanted to share 50 of my favorite quotes and life lessons with you. Many of these are not my own, but are words that have influenced me and my journey. 

What is your favorite quote or life lesson?

All of our stories are important! If you have a story to share, please send an email to [email protected]. You don't have to be a DWOM to share your story. All are welcome!

Would you like to talk about your grief journey? Sign up for a complimentary Connection Call here: https://calendly.com/daughterswithoutmoms/30-minute-connection-call

For more information on my thoughts on grief, please visit my website, www.yourgriefjourney.com

Emily is my first daughter without a dad to share on the podcast. The podcast is being released on the fifth anniversary of her father's death. She created her Instagram account, @theinvisiblewounds, 2 years into her grief journey. It was her outlet and continues to provide her, and others, with support and encouragement, as there are times when people in real life still struggle to understand her grief.

Emily's Take-Away: To those who are surrounding grievers, if you are not sure what to do, ask! There is no guidebook or right thing to do. Support is dependent on each individual griever. For the griever, it's hard to ask, or even know what you need. Simply show up in whatever way you can to offer support. 

All of our stories are important! If you have a story to share, please send an email to [email protected]. You don't have to be a DWOM to share your story. All are welcome!

Would you like to talk about your grief journey? Sign up for a complimentary Connection Call here: https://calendly.com/daughterswithoutmoms/30-minute-connection-call

For more information on my thoughts on grief, please visit my website, www.yourgriefjourney.com

Note: This episode includes discussion about mental illness and suicide. Please choose another story if these details may be triggering for you.

In this episode, Tera shares about her mom, and how she grew up in an environment with physical, emotional and sexual abuse. Her mom escaped that by packing up her belongings and moving to the mid-west to start a new life. She was diagnosed with multiple personality disorder, which was later renamed dissociative identity disorder, or DID. She also had an eating disorder. Ultimately, Tera's mom took her own life when Tera was 12 years old.

Tera's Take-Away: Losing a parent at any age or season of life is traumatic. Period. We all have our own unique story to tell as a result. Thank you for listening to mine. 

All of our stories are important! If you have a story to share, please send an email to [email protected]. You don't have to be a DWOM to share your story. All are welcome!

Would you like to talk about your grief journey? Sign up for a complimentary Connection Call here: https://calendly.com/daughterswithoutmoms/30-minute-connection-call

For more information on my thoughts on grief, please visit my website, www.yourgriefjourney.com