Daughters Without Moms

Janet's mom Cass died from breast cancer the day Janet graduated from high-school. It was 1995 and she was 18, right at the start of my adult life. Her entire world shattered the day her mom died.

Since launching the Project, almost 100 women from around the world have shared their stories.

Motherlove Project website: www.motherloveproject.com

To submit your story, email: [email protected]

Details about upcoming event in Ottawa: www.motherloveproject.com/events/motherlove-project-meet-up

Motherlove Project on Instagram: www.instagram.com/motherloveproject

Janet's Take-Away: Even though it feels scary and uncomfortable to face your grief, it's so worth it. Whatever that looks like for you, find an outlet. Find a way to connect with your grief because our grief lives with us, and that's okay!

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

Veronica and her mom are estranged because of her mom's intense struggles with mental health that subsequently resulted in abuse. Veronica has been grieving her mom every day, for her whole life.

Veronica didn't have a specific take-away but shared 2 nuggets that I really connected with:

"Sometimes people we love belong on a shelf. I felt that way about my mom. I can pull her down and remember her as the person she used to be, but I don't have to bear witness to who she is now and how that might impact me."

Her therapist challenged Veronica when she minimized her story: "What a disservice that is to the younger version of you that survived, to minimize that experience. She deserves to be honored for having survived and become the person that you are today."

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

Katie's mom was diagnosed with cancer when she was thirteen and passed when she was sixteen. Katie then helped raise her brother and watched her dad grieve while trying to get back to normal life.

Katie put her own grief on the backburner to make sure everyone else was ok. She has finally found the space to allow herself to grieve, almost a decade later.

Katie's Take-Away: Give yourself some grace. Don't be so hard on yourself. Be kind and grateful for the moments of joy along your journey.

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

Sakshi's mom was first diagnosed with cervical cancer in April, 2020. The doctors predicted a full recovery with the right treatment. Unfortunately, the cancer came back in October, 2021. She started the treatment without delay, but this time the cancer had metastasized. Due to the intensity of the treatment, her body contracted a virus and Sakshi's mom died in December 2021.

Sakshi's Take-Away: You see the world moving on, and your world has stopped. That's how cruel life is - the world is not always kind. Find your own solace. I also believe it’s important to carry a part of them with you (like I got a tattoo of my nickname for her and I have a Polaroid of us that I keep with me at all times). It doesn't have to be something physical, but these are a few things that make me feel like she’s around me.

These are the songs that Sakshi listens to:

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

Kasey's mother was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer when she was a sophomore in high school. There is a very long family history of breast cancer on her mom's side of the family. She was in remission for one year but then the cancer came back on the other breast. Eventually it spread to her brain and bones. Kasey is an only child and has been on her own ever since. Kasey understands that no one is ever prepared to lose their parent, but feels like it is much harder to grieve alone. 

Kasey's Take-Away: If you have your mom, cherish the moments that you have with her. Whatever maternal figures you have in your life, tell them thank you and let them know how much you appreciate them. 

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

Monique lost her mom unexpectedly to pancreatic cancer in 2020. Monique was a workaholic and was upset when quarantine happened, but she's now grateful for the four months of quality time with her mom that she wouldn’t have had otherwise. 

Since Monique's mom has passed, she’s found ways to let Monique know she’s still with her. Every time she's facing a difficult decision, her mom visits her in her dreams, and she always looks amazing.

Monique's Take-Away: Feel your feels and don't apologize for it. Your grief journey is just that, yours. 

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

Shatakshi lost her mom to Covid in 2021 when she was a high school senior. She had the best relationship with her mom and it has been very hard for Shatakshi. For a long time she lived in the past, unable to accept the reality that her mom was gone. She is now slowly coping with her loss.

Shatakshi's Take-Away: If you are dealing with the pain of loss, make that your power and not your weakness. Move forward with it and don't stay in your past. Learn to live with it, and live for that person. Don't die for them.

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

Lauren's mom died when Lauren was 12, and then her dad died when she was 28. She hit a breaking point with depression and anxiety. She realized she was at war with her mind and body and had isolated herself in her grief.  Thanks to therapy, she finally realized life doesn’t have to be this way. 

Lauren is a Grief Empowerment Coach! You can find her on Instagram: @griefstrength. You can learn more at her website: www.griefstrength.com or reach Lauren via email: [email protected]  

Lauren's Take-Away: Always honor your grief, no matter how many years have passed. If you feel sad, allow yourself to feel sad. Acknowledge how your grief has affected your life. And seek help and support; you don't need to go through this 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!

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

Leidy's back to finish her story. Only 2 days have passed since her mom's death, and she is filing for legal guardianship of her 2 younger sisters. And she still has to finish high school!

In the almost 6 years since then, Leidy is learning how to be both sister, and guardian, to her 2 siblings. She has reached a place where she is finally able to allow herself to grieve, and has a lot of wisdom to share. 

Leidy talks about empowerHER, and organization that has supported her and her family. You can find more about empowerHER here: https://www.empoweringher.org/

Leidy's Take-Away: Just because we're daughters without moms doesn't mean we are alone. You don't need to have a mom figure to do good in your life. In the middle of the sadness, grief and anger, you can still find love. 

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

Leidy's mom immigrated to the US with Leidy and her two siblings in 2011. In 2017 Leidy's mom was killed outside a restaurant. Leidy ended up getting full custody of both of her little sisters and becoming a parent at 18 years old, while still a senior in high school. 

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