Azande's dad had HIV and died when she was 1. Her dad infected her mom, and Azande's mom died when she was 16 years old.

As a child, Azande developed an anxious attachment to her mom and her mom put her in therapy. She has continued with therapy into adulthood and was able to recommend a few things she's learned that have been helpful:

All of our stories are important. If you have a story to share,

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

Laura's mom had health problems ever since she was in middle school and being in and out of the hospital wasn't unusual. In high school they finally put her on hospice and she died when Laura was 18.

Laura held her grief in for many years, and 8 years later, she still struggles with feeling like sometimes her mom's death is not real.

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 of my thoughts on grief, please visit my website, www.yourgriefjourney.com

Tarren is a DWOM, even though her mom is still living. Tarren's mom is a narcissist and Tarren has been on her own since she was 16 years old. She has no idea what having a mother or any family at all is like. Her mom-sized hole is all she knows and she feels like she's spent her entire life trying to fill it.

Thank you, Tarren, for sharing your heart with us. May you continue to grow in the love and peace within you.

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

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

Sana's mom had high blood pressure and suffered a stroke that left her paralyzed on her right side. She was bed ridden for 14 years and died from breast cancer in 2021.

When Sana's mom had her stroke, the first thing the doctor said to them was that they need to remain strong together because something like this can make or break a family. They took that advice seriously and were able to remain a strong family through the 14-year journey of her mom's illness.

Sana's take-away: Guilt is a completely normal feeling. It is up to us on how we react to it or control it. Dealing with an illness as a family really affects the caregivers. They should remember to take care of themselves as well. Communication with one another is key in order to minimize bottling up anxiety.

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 of my thoughts on grief, please visit my website, www.yourgriefjourney.com

This is Shaelyn's 2nd time on the podcast. She's only 2 years into her grief journey and wanted to share about adjusting to life in a new city, breaking up with someone for the first time without a mom, and learning to grieve on her own. 

You can listen to Shaelyn's story of being a daughter without a mom in Season 2, Episode 42.

You can find all things Shaelyn at these social media accounts:

Instagram: @shaelynavalon

Twitter (X): @shaelynavalon

Facebook: Shaelyn Avalon

TikTok: @shaelynavalon

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ShaelynAvalon?si=WzKW_by0MK27U9_i

Spotify: https://spotify.link/CbtBOe1PyDb

Toulouse's Instagram: @toulousebop_pup

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

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

Johanna is an only child and it was just her and her mom growing up and they were incredibly close. Johanna's mom died in 2021 from colorectal cancer when Johanna was only 29 years old. Navigating life since her mom's death has left Johanna feeling lost, empty, and trying to pave a path for who she's supposed to be now.

Here is the link to the podcast where Johanna's mom shared just a month before she died: https://spotify.link/YIExcwpemDb

Johanna's Take-Away: When her mom Melanie shared on a podcast she was asked how might you want to be remembered? She encouraged listeners to celebrate the temporary. Everything is temporary, the good and the bad, and it all needs to be celebrated. In memory of Melanie, go light the world and put a smile on someone's face.

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 of my thoughts on grief, please visit my website, www.yourgriefjourney.com

Aldon’s mom Alva died from breast cancer in 2003 when Aldon was 7 years old. Her mom’s journey was not a secret to Aldon, even at her young age, and she remembers that her mom did not let cancer take her pride. The battle was on her timeline.

Aldon's Take-Away: Now at the age of 28, I realize that grief is a never-ending circle. Don't feel like you are on a timeline. No one will every understand it so don't feel like you have to confirm your story for someone. It's your story.

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 of my thoughts on grief, please visit my website, www.yourgriefjourney.com

Sohini lost her mom when she was 10 years old and her dad when she was 20. She realizes that from a very young age she had to understand and take responsibility for a lot of things that other people her age do not have to. She also recognizes that she reacts to things very differently because of her situation of losing both of her parents at a very young age.

Sohini's Take-Away: No matter how hard days are, you have to go on and believe in yourself. You have to keep on surviving.

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 of my thoughts on grief, please visit my website, www.yourgriefjourney.com

Please choose another episode if suicide ideation will be unhelpful to your own grief journey.

Joy’s mum died when she was 16, a month before her birthday. She worked in the hospital and died from Covid. It was hard because Joy never expected it to be her who would experience loss from Covid. Her mom was her best friend, but her faith, family and friends pulled her through.

Joy spoke about the verse Isaiah 57:1, and recommends the movie Human Resources on Netflix. She says Season 1 Episode 9 captures how we should be willing to except grief and see it as part of the healing process.

Joy’s Take-Away: The grieving process is never going to end; emotions happen and it might be any little thing that brings grief back and that’s normal. I was ready for the process to end and I realized that grieving is normal. I was then able to move on with my life when I realized that it is normal. Being a Christian helps with the grieving process.

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 of my thoughts on grief, please visit my website, www.yourgriefjourney.com

Platitudes are phrases that are widely used and regarded as a safe thing to say to someone who is hurting.

In reality, these phrases normally have the opposite effect. 

Listen to hear what fellow grievers have to say about platitudes, and how they made them feel.

Then, continue listening to hear words that were received as loving, caring and supportive.

This is not to make people for bad for the things they've said, as I don't believe people are trying to minimize grief. These are well known, commonly used phrases. This podcast will provide the opportunity to think ahead and plan for the next time we offer our condolences. Please share this podcast so we can spread awareness.