Andrea shares the story of what she describes as a "domino death". One event led to another in a tragic series that ended in her mom's passing. Andrea was intentional about allowing herself to grieve and joined a Motherless Daughters group.

Andrea has provided the following information for the items she shares:

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!

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

In 2018, Jana's mom died from blunt force injury after being hit by a foul ball at a LA Dodgers baseball game at Dodger Stadium. Yes, you read that right. It is quite a story!

Jana talks about sharing her story originally with William Weinbaum from ESPN. You can read that article here. 

She also shares about finding her voice, and how she and others influenced the MLB requiring all teams to expand the netting that protects fans from foul balls.

Click here for more information on Foul Ball Safety Now, the organization that is working on having the same netting requirement at all MiLB stadiums as well. 

Jana's Take-Away: Tell your story to others and find your voice. Find the silver lining to your story.

Visit Jana's art business at Paint Jam USA.  Find your voice in 15 words or less through art by booking a "Painted Affirmations" Party Email Jana at [email protected].

You can find her and her daughter's podcast, Arts With an S, here. 

The Gifts of Imperfection Book Club starts tonight at 6:30 pm! Click here to register.

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!

This episode is an interview with Laura. She lost her mom just 2 years ago, after her mom suffered several brain aneurisms and aspiration. They spent 8 weeks in more than 5 hospitals, and Laura is now learning how to live without her mom and best friend. Laura shares how she ran 1000 miles for Mama, and her fundraising campaign is still open! Here is the link if you would like to donate to the Brain Aneurysm Foundation. September is Brain Aneurysm Awareness month! Laura’s mom had a fairly intense medical journey, and we discuss those details in todays episode. Please feel free to listen to another story if hearing these types of details may be triggering for you. 

Laura's take-away: Be proactive with your grief. Take active steps to help yourself deal with your grief. Share your journey with others and find people who understand how you feel. GriefShare is a group that may help! 

I'll be sharing details about an upcoming Book Club and the launch of my Permission to be YOU program soon Stay tuned for details.

Today I share my thoughts about worthiness, and some of the things I've done personally to strengthen my foundation of self-worth.

In the podcast, I also share the names of a few of my favorite authors and podcasters: Brené Brown, Susan David, Jim Kwik and Dr. Daniel Amen.

I'll be sharing details about an upcoming Book Club and the launch of my Permission to be YOU program in September. Stay tuned for details. 

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. 

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

Penni's mom died of ovarian cancer when Penni was 25 years old. Penni told her mom it was ok, that she could go, but really, Penni wasn't ready. Although a heartache, the loss of their mom has strengthened the bond between Penni and her sister.

Penni's Take-aways: 

1. You're not alone. Take comfort in the people around you.

2. Work can wait! When caring for family, take the time to stay home and be with your family. 

In the episode, I share with Penni a way to preserve your family story. I call the service Storybook, which is wrong! It's StoryWorth, and here is the website: www.welcome.storyworth.com

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

This episode is an interview with my niece, Jenna. She became a DWOM in January, 2020 when her mom, my sister Amy, passed away after a long battle with cancer.

We've talked a lot about how Amy always made decisions for her. It felt like a topic that others may have experienced as well.

Her advice for making decisions without mom: Write out the question at hand. Make a list of pros and cons, and then consider what your moms answer would be, and write that out too. This process has helped her in her own decision-making journey.

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

Tami lost her mom to cancer when Tami was 27 years old. 5 years later, she experienced another devastating loss, that caused her to go back and consider the way she grieved her mom. 

Tami learned that, as a society, we do not handle grief well, and became a Restoration and Confidence Coach using her background in marriage and family therapist to support others in their journey. 

Tami's takeaway: Allow yourself to sit in your grief for a while. Allow it to shape you and change you. Then get up and claim your new identity and BE. 

Today, Tami is a Restoration and Confidence Coach. She is the founder of Tami Marie Coaching and Her Restored Spirit Podcast. You can also follow her on Facebook and Instagram. 

Around the 30 minute mark, you’ll hear that I lose my train of thought. After we were done recording, I shared with Tami that I would edit that part out. She suggested I leave it in, and acknowledge how grief brain can affect you, and that her therapist told her when you are deep in the moment of something, you can lose your train of thought. That is exactly what happened to me!

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

This episode includes my interview with Jonathan on the Grace Bond Ministries podcast. He was the 4th Jenkins sibling that I interviewed on the podcast last week. Then he asked me to share on his podcast.

The interview includes some of my views of where God was in my grief journey, and things we can do to prepare for the grief journey.

Jonathan also publishes the interview on YouTube, which is a first for me. If you'd like to watch our interview, click here. 

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

Jonathan is my 4th Jenkins sibling to share their story on the podcast, and my 2nd son without a mom!

Jonathan was 15 when his mom passed after a second stroke. He kept a lot of his grief to himself during the time between his mom's strokes, and was not one to talk much. Now, he's spending most of his day talking to people about their life journey - as a youth pastor and at a funeral home.

Jonathan's take-away: Open up to people. Open up to someone you trust if you are struggling, and find someone to talk to. And most importantly look to Jesus Christ for your hope. 

Jonathan has a podcast called Grace Bond Ministries. He also welcomes you to reach out to him if you have related to his sharing. You can reach Jonathan at [email protected].

You can hear his sister Danielle's story in Episode 12, brother Raymond's story in Episode 26 and sister Rebecca's story in Episode 29. 

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

Rebecca is the 3rd Jenkins sibling to share their story on the DWOM podcast! Rebecca is the youngest in her family, and was 10 when her mom died after a 2nd stroke. Rebecca has a very strong connection to the love, kindness and support that she received from her mom. She distinctly remembers a time, after the 1st stroke, when her mom said to her "I'll always be watching you from the sidelines." 

Rebecca's takeaway: Try to look on the bright side in ever situation. To see the beauty through the pain and realize why you're hurting and upset. Deal with it one day at a time. It doesn't get easier, it just gets more normal." 

Big insights from an 18-year old that just graduated from high school!

You can hear her sister Danielle's story in Episode 12 and her brother Raymond's story in Episode 26. The final sibling, Johnathan, will share his story next week!

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