Pieces2Peace

In this heartfelt conversation, Curtis Nielsen shares his journey of love, loss, and resilience after the tragic death of his wife, Missy in May of 2020. He reflects on their life together, the impact of COVID-19 on their family, and the moment that changed everything. Curtis discusses the challenges of navigating grief, the importance of community support and involvement, and the lessons he learned about cherishing life and moving forward. Curtis offers some very insightful advice when it comes to grieving and suggests a few things that continue to help him on his journey. His story is one of hope, healing, and the enduring power of love.

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Host Heather Stephen pulls clips from 6 of her previous episodes. Each clip talks about how someone helped during the darkest days following loss. Grab a notebook and take some notes as this information comes from experience and is priceless.

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Kayla, a performer living in Orlando, Florida, and daughter of previous guests Chris and Jeanette Kahn, shares her perspective on what life was like while her brother Austin battled cancer. Kayla talks about her bond with Austin and how they attended high school together. They were best friends. She emphasizes the importance of transparency in the grieving process and the need for open communication between parents and grieving teens. Kayla also encourages teenagers to give themselves grace and time to heal, reminding them that everyone's grief journey is unique. She shares her personal experience of finding peace and signs of her brother's presence after his passing. Kayla's story serves as a reminder to value the time spent with loved ones and to prioritize self-care during times of grief.

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Jenedy is a professional oil painter, mom of four, and athlete. She shares her experience of balancing her various roles and passions. She emphasizes the importance of flexibility and being willing to readjust schedules. Jenedy also talks about her journey into motherhood and the sacrifices she made for her children. She shares the powerful story of her son's drowning accident and the impact it had on her family. She discusses “Sympathetic Storming,” a common response in drowning victims where the body's fight or flight response goes into overdrive. Jenedy talks about the challenges of watching her son go through these storms for extended periods of time. She relates how she journaled while sitting by him in the hospital for 7 weeks and how that helped her cope every day. Jenedy reflects on the beauty and difficulty of grief and how it has strengthened her relationship with God. In this conversation, Jenedy and Heather discuss the process of grief and how writing can be a powerful tool for healing. She emphasizes the importance of being honest with God and allowing oneself to feel the full range of emotions. Jenedy also talks about the role of faith in her healing journey and how it has helped her find strength and purpose. Heather and Jenedy discuss the different ways people grieve and how important it is to give each other space and support. They also touch on the significance of meaningful gestures and acts of kindness from others during times of grief.

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Jeanette and Chris Kahn share their journey of their son Austin's battle with a brainstem tumor DIPG. They discuss the challenges they faced in getting a diagnosis and the subsequent treatments, including surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation. Despite the difficulties, Austin found solace in playing golf and excelled in the sport. The conversation highlights the resilience of the family and their determination to keep open communication between them. Austin's condition deteriorated rapidly, and he eventually became bedridden. The doctors informed Jeanette and Chris that there was nothing more they could do, and they had to make the difficult decision to remove the breathing tube. Austin was able to choose the day. They spent the last few days creating special memories with him and saying goodbye as a family. After Austin's passing, Jeanette and Chris grieved differently, with Jeanette becoming withdrawn and Chris expressing anger. They learned to communicate openly and understand and accept each other's way of grieving. After experiencing the loss of  Austin, Jeanette and Chris Kahn share their journey of grief and how it has impacted their lives. They discuss the emotions and challenges they faced, the importance of having a supportive family and circle of friends, and the need for compassion and understanding. They emphasize the significance of acknowledging and talking about their son, as well as the value of practical acts of kindness from family, friends and acquaintances. They also reflect on the evolution of their beliefs and priorities, and the lessons they have learned through their grief.

Chris is an ambassador for the Alex Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF).  ALSF is the largest independent childhood cancer charity in the U.S., focused on funding critical research and supporting childhood cancer families.

Their website is https://www.alexslemonade.org/

Chris has been working with the University of Michigan in his role with ALSF to partner with them as they are focused on research specifically for DIPG brain cancer, which is what Austin had. 

This is a link to ALSF website where Austin’s story is

https://www.alexslemonade.org/hero/austin-kahn

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Rachel shares her story of growing up with a special needs brother and his eventual passing. She talks about the challenges and the unique normalcy of their family life. Rachel also discusses her role in giving the eulogy at his funeral and the emotions she had to suppress during that time. After the funeral, life went on for everyone else, but Rachel and her family had to navigate their new normal. Rachel shares the impact his death had on her and her family. She discusses the challenges of navigating grief as a teenager and the importance of finding ways to cope and heal. She emphasizes the need to listen to oneself and to choose how to behave in the face of difficult circumstances. She also highlights the ongoing love and appreciation she has for her brother, even as she continues to move forward in her healing journey.

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This is a conversation between Heather and her mom Colleen about the death of Heather’s 4th baby girl Jacey. It’s Colleen’s personal account of the tragic loss of her grandbaby while in her care and the grief experienced by her and the family. Colleen talks about the events leading up to baby Jacey’s death, the emotional turmoil of the family, and the support they received from friends, family and church members. The conversation also touches on the different ways people grieve and the importance of offering grace and understanding. Overall, it is a poignant and heartfelt discussion of loss and the complexities of grief. They discuss the difficulty of grieving while also caring for other children, and the importance of turning to the Lord for strength. They reflect on the deep grief they both experienced and the challenges of navigating daily life after such a loss. Despite the pain, they find hope in the knowledge of a future reunion with Jacey and their other loved ones.

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Toni Zufelt shares her grief journey after losing her son in a motorcycle accident. She discusses the challenges of navigating grief and finding comfort in faith and the support of others. Toni emphasizes the importance of allowing others to serve and support you during difficult times and encourages open conversations about the loved ones who have passed away.  She talks about the importance of keeping Dustin's memory alive and finding peace amidst the pain. Toni also discusses her love for writing poetry as a form of therapy and self-expression. She emphasizes the need for understanding and support from others during the grieving process. Overall, Toni's story highlights the resilience and strength that can be found in the face of tragedy.

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Lindsay shares her story of losing her son Gavin and the grief journey that followed. She talks about the challenges of infertility, the unexpected complications immediately following the birth of Gavin, and the difficult decision to eventually turn off life support. Lindsay and her husband Jason grieved in different ways but found support in each other. She emphasizes the importance of communication and understanding in the grieving process. Lindsay also discusses the role of faith and the moments of peace and joy she experienced amidst the sadness. Lindsay shares how she has found hope and healing in the midst of grief.  Lindsay also emphasizes the need to recognize and validate all feelings, both positive and negative, and to find ways to incorporate service and gratitude into the healing process. She shares the impact of offers of help and the significance of a journal where she writes down moments of seeing God in her life. Lindsay concludes by highlighting the importance of recognizing the presence of Jesus in every aspect of life and finding hope in the midst of grief.

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