From Loss to Light

This story shows how death and widowhood can turn into an amazing beautiful family. Rod & Jolene each share with us how they navigated the widowed life with children. They go into how each navigated the losses of their spouses only to find each other on an online dating site. They didn't know their paths had crossed many years prior growing up in the same town. They have since found love together and have blended their families and have created a magical journey that many widows/widowers do not find. 

They were both blessed to have been married to each of their former spouses. Jolenes late husband Ed, lost his battle with sarcoma and Rod at age 33, lost his late wife Becky due to an illness she had lived with.  Rod also shares the feelings of journeying through his loss and making many poor decisions in life and realizing giving his turmoils over to God and watching the transformation happening immediately. Jolene shares her journey of connecting with people who were the same as her with a likeness of losing a spouse. 

In this episode we listen to Claire Richmond share her journey with a chronic illness that is very rare metabolic condition. She shares how she has found her light with the suffering and pain that she endures. 

It took Claire 19 years to search for the answers and was diagnosed and knowingly living with it for 7 years. It is estimated that 1500 people in the US have this disease which is called "Acute Portferia".

She shares with is how her life is lived by defining what she loves not by what she does; this is her main motto to live by in life.  Listen to this journey and all the knowledge that Claire shares with us with regards to this disease and other medical illnesses.

Her favorite quote is "let go or get dragged" - anonymous

Pictured with Claire is her rescue poodle "Lenny Bruce".  You can find Claire at www.daringlyclaire.com and you will see how she chooses joy and embraces her new normal.  Also find her on socials at Instagram: daringlyclaire 

Our guest on episode 25 is our "grief" friend Kera Sanchez.  She shares with us the loss of her mother and when she died and how it pushed her into a role of a grief journey she didn't understand.  Kera shares her creation of her journal called "Legacy Letters Journal" and how you can turn lemons into legacies.  She has since created a second journal "No Legacy Lost" that reflects what we all want to say and be remembered by. 

Kera has gone on to create the first and VERY amazing "Get Griefy Magazine" that holds so much information and guidance for grievers. It's full of support, organizations, and foundations that anybody going through grief can relate to or lean into.  It's where stories meet and grievers unite. 

Give Kera a follow at any of the below IG or FB locations and give her magazine a follow.  There are ways for you to support the work that is done in the magazine and offer to donate a coffee for the help of the magazine production.  She also offers ways for you to submit articles or blog posts, so please reach out to her if you have something to submit.

Here is her song she shared that reminds her of her mother; it's by Andy Frasco "Dancing Around My Grave": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x5i9sakXoI

Learn about and read the Magazine - https://www.getgriefymagazine.com/home

Learn about Legacy letters: https://www.legacylettersjournal.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getgriefymagazine/

https://www.instagram.com/legacylettersjournal/

Purchase journals: https://a.co/d/5LfKeQH

Purchase get Griefy: https://amzn.to/4bQnjom

Our guest Christina shares the very deepest part of the illness that claimed the life of her child.  Her son Nate died at 18 years of age from a lifelong journey of seizures.  Christina has always been in the nursing field, so she understands the depth of what death can look like, but when it happened to her, she spiraled.  She had to learn to say "It's ok to not be ok" and also she really learned how to heal being a single mom to her then only living son Tyler.  She shares so many amazing points and insights in what a griever feels while going through the deepest and darkest days and gave herself time to grieve.

Christina also shares the story of going to the psychic "Theresa Caputo" and the amazing things she recognized and felt from her son coming through.  Stories do matter and are so very important in life for a griever to help them through grief moments.

Christina shares with us her light with us and it's the song "Radio Active" by Imagine Dragons and this is what reminds her of her son Nate. You can listen to it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3viBe2Q0P8

Christina also is a full-time entrepreneur whose mission is to empower the lives of women To have the life they’ve always wanted. You can check her out below! 

https://www.dreamonesizebigger.com You can reach Christina at:  [email protected]

And follow her on:  https://www.facebook.com/dreamonesizebiggerwithchris

Our guest this week is Sandy Thomas; Sandy shares her families tragedy that happened in 1962 when her families vehicle was hit by a train.  Her sister Diane died on the scene and her sister Linda died on the way to the hospital.  She shares how her family navigated this devastating time and how Sandy learned about who her sisters were years after their deaths as their accident happened prior to her birth.

Sandy goes into depth with her spirituality and how it has transformed her and guided her during losses.  She recently endured the loss of her best friend, Teri, due to suicide and Sandy shares the effects it has had on her and how she has journeyed through the process. (pictured above is Sandy on the left and her best friend Teri on the right).

Sandy shares information about the book and movie "Heaven is for Real" and the famous, beautiful artist Akiane Kramarik who carries a very spiritual presence.  Here you can watch a video and the story behind Akiane and who she is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6HLg2XUFOg

Teri's favorite quote that she shares with is from Dr. Seuss: "Don't cry when it's over, smile because it happened".  

Episode 22 is with our special guest Liz Quinn who shares her story of loss from her baby girl to both her parents and how this has formed her understanding of grief and how the power of sharing your story is SO powerful.  Liz herself has started an amazing wellness journey of self care and recently launched her own podcast called "Healing Hearts".  She gives so many tips and advice that we can all use on our own grief journey.  She shared her special song by Alan Jackson called "Sissy's Song" which you can listen to here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCvgXw-Bh04

Please give Liz a follow on socials and check out her podcast for more of an amazing healing journey. 

Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/healingheats
Socials: @healing_hearts_wellness

Episode 20 is full of color and our vibrant guest Victoria Wolf shares her story of losing her business with her husband and how they picked up the pieces for them to travel in their RV and finding their path along the journey of life.   She shares her artwork and dreams with all of us! 
Victoria is an artist, an author, a designer, and a cook!  This conversation was a beautiful testament of how we as humans can pick up the pieces and make a brighter, more colorful life if we reach into our intuitive nature.  

You can reach out to Victoria in so many different ways!  She has so much to offer you from and artist standpoint to her cooking YouTube channel.  Give her a follow and check out her amazing offerings. 

Wolf Design and Marketing

https://wolfdesignandmarketing.com/

https://www.facebook.com/wolfdesignandmarketing

Victoria Wolf Art

https://victoriawolfart.com/

https://www.instagram.com/victoriawolfart/

https://www.facebook.com/victoriarwolfart/

Perpetual Conflict

https://victoriawolfart.com/the-book/

https://www.amazon.com/Perpetual-Conflict-Journey-Art-Redemption/dp/1737010615

gf explorers

https://gfexplorers.com/

https://www.youtube.com/gfexplorers

https://www.instagram.com/gfexplorers/

https://www.facebook.com/thegfexplorers

https://www.pinterest.com/gfexplorers/

In this episode we listen to Tom & Melanie share the story of the loss of their beloved son Max.  Max died in December 2012 due to complications from the flu.  They share wonderful and beautiful stories of their son Max and how he continues to make impacts on so many lives.  Tom & Melanie started a foundation called "Love to the Max foundation" that supports others through scholarships.  
They were interviewed far and wide by news outlets, notably CNN as the flu was running rampant.  They shared with many news stations the importance of receiving the flu shot.  
Max also loved music by Jack Johnson and his favorite was "Better Together"; you can listen here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSsTx2TBrww
They share their favorite verses; Matthew 22:37-39 and Psalm 21.  They use Matthew 22:37-39 for their entire foundations purpose.  

You can follow their journey at https://facebook.com/lovetothemax or their website (which is currently under construction, but will be up and running soon) https://lovetothemax.org.

***ANGIE'S AUDIO WAS A LITTLE DISTORTED DURING THIS EPISODE, PLEASE JUST IGNORE THE HIGH TONE, BECAUSE OUR GUESTS TONE'S ARE PERFECT AND THEY SHARE A BEAUTIFUL STORY THAT SHOULD BE HEARD***

Meet our two amazing guests Dave and Cassy Lawrence as they share the story of their son Sailor and the amazing non profit they created in his memory called Sail on and Fly High. We shared laughters of tears and heartache; sometimes laughter truly is the best medicine.  You will get to hear the funny and thoughtful antics that Sailor lived during his entire short life.  Sailor was such a special kid that had already received his pilot license and I'm telling you what...the entire story is full of "WOW's" that you will want to listen to until the end.  Dave & Cassy share so many thoughtful, caring, and easy ways to help others journey through anxiety, ADHD, and depression.  Dave also dives deep into the world of ADHD. Dave & Cassy are also offering so many events and different projects coming up, you can check them out below or click on their website for ALL the amazing events and information they provide!

Cassy's favorite song that she shared with us is Kacey Musgraves "Rainbow", give it a listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OFv566mj7s

sailonandflyhigh.org

Facebook

Sail On and Fly High Non Profit (@sailonandflyhigh) • Instagram photos and videos

YouTube Channel is Sail On and Fly High or can search @Sailorsmama

Upcoming Events: 
March 16th Remembrance Day for Sailor. Wear Sail On and Fly High gear or purple and teal.

April 1st -Sailor's Kindness Day for his 20th birthday, spending the day at Henry Doorly Zoo handing out Sailor's favorite things.

May 23rd- FREE Mental health awareness event and walk in Bayliss Park, Council Bluffs, IA

July 27th - Golf tournament at Whispering Woods golf course in Council Bluffs.

August 11th - 5k at Prairie Crossing Winery 

On this episode you will listen to Shannon share her story of her loss to light, in particular her daughter Sara that had died in a car accident.  Shannon connects with the other side as she is an intuitive and was able to see and hear from her daughter Sara the night she died.  Shannon also found her light after she almost lost her own life and was on a ventilator for eight days and made a remarkable trip to Heaven and then returned to finish up here on earth.   
Shannon shares with us "It is not what happens to you it is about how you handle yourself, the choices you make, right and wrong, good and evil.  Heaven is home, and very indescribably wonderful."  She is currently residing in Iowa and writing a book "Listening to the Light" to describe her experience in Heaven.  She also has plan in the work entitled "Sara's Song".