Pooja lost her mother at the age of 10. This meant she had to step up and shoulder responsibilities for her younger sister, who has autism and can neither walk nor talk, and struggles with her hearing.

While the weight of her past can sometimes overshadow her aspirations for the future, Pooja strives to radiate positivity and strength, even when the journey feels overwhelming.

Pooja's Take-Away: You have the ability to ask questions for yourself, and you have the ability to look for solutions as well. You will see changes if you do that.

If you would like to reach out to Pooja you can find her on Instagram @poojakhannaa

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 episode is an interview with my niece, Jenna, that originally aired 2 years ago. 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!

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

Today you'll meet my husband Brian. This podcast was published on our 25th wedding anniversary in 2021. I ask him to share his perspective on what it is like to support someone on their grief journey. Where I have lost all of the people in my family of origin, his parents and brothers are still living. We have both learned things about each other over the past 25 years.

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

Amanda’s mom was diagnosed with colon cancer at the age of 42, and died 3 years later when Amanda was 15. Amanda was her mom’s shadow, and they had a unique and special bond. Amanda is now a mom herself, and even after 18 years, she still feels a hole in her heart from missing her mom.

Amanda's Take-Away: I hope that other members of this club are able to eventually find closure and peace. I encourage you to look for signs, that they are out there if you are ready to receive them. I don't think our mothers ever leave us, they continue to guide us.

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

Eden was 20 years old when her mom died. She's 40 now, a relatable age because she's closer to the age her mom was when she died. She went through depression, suicidal ideation, and everyday was a struggle. But the last 19 years have shown her that she will make it, and that she did make it, by the grace of God.

Eden's Take-Away: I’m so thankful that I am now able to say that there are blessings that come from the loss of a mother. One thing’s for sure I would not be the woman I am if it wasn’t for the lessons of grief. I am proud of the woman I've become.

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

Please choose another episode if hearing about addiction will be unhelpful to your grief journey.

Nikole's mother was an addict for the first 12 years of her life, and she felt as if she lost her mom emotionally during this time. After becoming clean for 10 years, she was diagnosed with Hepatitis C and relapsed on her sobriety. While trying to get clean again, she passed of a subdural hematoma a few years later when Nikole was 24.

Nikole's Take-Away: Take in all of the signs and let them resonate and think of it as the person that you love and miss.

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

Tayvia's mom died from pancreatic cancer on December 26th, 2022. Less than 2 months later, her grandmother died from COPD. Tayvia was raised by these 2 women and is an only child. Despite the loss, she knows her mothers have given her every tool to be successful in life, and a village of mama bears who love and guide her. Tayvia says that she would not be surviving this grief without these women in her life.

Tayvia's Take-Away: For a woman, there's nothing more important than building nurturing and healthy relationships with other women, because these are the people who will show up for you as true life partners.

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 episode originally aired in June of 2021, but since today is July 4th it seemed appropriate to share again.

Chief Jim Leary was our local Police Chief for 10 years, until his recent retirement. In 2019, his wife Martha died from ALS. Chief had 46 years of police service, and also served in the US Army. However, none of this training or experience prepared him for the grief after losing his wife. He's brutally honest and vulnerable about the grief experience he's had (and continues to have) and also shares tips on ways to honor yourself in the 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 daughter to share your story. All are welcome! 

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

Today, June 27, 2023 marks 40 years since my mom's death. It hurts to even write those words. It seems impossible. Yet, here we are.

To honor her today, I wanted to share some things I've come to believe about grief, and a few things I've learned.

Everyone's grief journey is different, but for today, this is mine.

I love you Mom, and miss you more than ever.

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

Warning: Pratima's story contains elements of homicide and abuse. Please choose another story if these details will be unhealthy for your own grief journey.

Pratima's mum died when she was 3, and she witnessed the whole thing. The memory is still very vivid for her. Her father abandoned her shortly after that, and she was raised by her maternal grandparents.

Pratima's Take-Away: Stop looking to fill the void of your mum's love - it is unfillable. But that doesn't mean that you are incomplete. Your mum is still there watching you and she is proud of you. We have managed to survive this long; we can go a little longer. Hang in there.

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