Something to Hold Onto

Connor Christensen loved Batman. No but really loved Batman - like wanted to be Batman. He loved taking care of his little sister Lizzie who died when Connor was just 3 years old. And from then on Connor loved kids. He was a swim teacher that knew not just the kids names but the parents names too. He played the drums in his high school marching band and was an Eagle Scout. Connor had some dark times too. His conflict inside overtook him and he died by suicide in the Fall of 2022. His mom Megan said, “Right after Connor died every single breath was hard.” She had already experienced a child dying from a chromosomal disorder when Lizzie was just 14 months old. Megan’s body went into shock and devastation again. In this episode she shares what trauma therapy has helped her in her grief journey. So many family and friends helped her as well. At times, it was overwhelming to return their texts. That’s when the Orange Hearts began. Orange was a Connor’s favorite color. Now anytime anyone is thinking of her or Connor they simply send an orange heart🧡

“I wanted to know her longer….” Haven Pike shares about her friend Laurie, who wasn’t a friend she anticipated having. A friend that came by surprise. Laurie was quirky and thoughtful. She sought out Haven at church and then became a dear friend, an unexpected one that was happy and lively. Hawaiian dresses and Birkenstocks her outfit of choice. Haven said, “Laurie was the most joyous human being. She was so true to who she was. I wish I had known her my whole life!” The connection they had brought a new perspective of friendship to Haven. 💞

I met Scot & Jen Whetman through a mutual friend who made bears for them out of their son Braydon’s clothes. They have such big hearts and have passed that on to their son Braydon. Braydon was a giver. He had a rough shell around him but was a giant teddy bear inside. A self taught guitarist, Braydon learned from the womb to love classic rock🎶. At age 14, he fell in love with flying and in his dad’s words was “born to the air”. He felt free in the air. Braydon joined the army and was eventually deployed to Korea. After having been there, PTSD set in and no one would ever realize how that took over his life. Scot & Jen share the tender, tragic and painful details of finding Braydon after he died by suicide. His parents said, “We miss him and love him dearly. Not a day goes by that we don’t think about Braydon.”

Charlene Cornell honors and shares about her dad, John Christian Cornell in this episode. He was the family chef and family meant everything to him. He was always there, always home, always giving. John worked outside the home as well partnering with his wife to provide for the family. The two of them loved to dance. He'd be caught dancing and singing in the house. Charlene also noticed him pondering at the kitchen sink. She noticed it more the Christmas before he died of colon cancer. "I wonder what he was thinking," she said as she reflected on how she finds herself doing the same thing🩵

MaryKate met her Jorge in the testing center at college. She thought he was so cute 😊 They had a beautiful life together raising their four wonderful children and navigating the twists and turns life brings. Jorge was a go getter and always had the biggest smile 😃. He died way too young from Covid pneumonia in 2021. MaryKate had no intention of finding anyone else to love in this life. But God had a different plan and when she found Randy, who had just lost his wife, they both found happiness again. ♥️♥️

Professional Jazz Musician, Mel Shore shares her journey of heartache, resilience and healing. After living in NYC, Broadway musical tours and seeing the world, she met her husband Scott online. After going out with him she said, “Something about him felt like home.” They had a beautiful winter wedding. Scott planned it all and even baked the cake! They spent the season skiing and just being together. Their beautiful connection ended way too soon when Scott died after a tonsillectomy surgery. Mel said, “Grief is love.” She said her grief journey has helped her see people in a better way. She and a friend who is also a widow started their Widow We Do Now podcast which reaches and helps so many.

Mel had an infectious laugh, a knack for story telling and fierce family loyalty. He had a very specific breakfast routine which included pepperoni sticks and cheese for the dogs. He loved watching nature and would call out to everyone when he’d see a bird. He served in the Air National Guard. Disney and snowbird were his favorite places. And games were always in the plans. He was all about family! He is tenderly missed❣️

Life long friends of Janette Jones Nelson, Laura Kenner and Janette Halpin share memories and glimpses into her life. In April of 2020, Janette Nelson was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Right at the beginning of covid she underwent surgery. For 10 days she was on her own in the hospital. Her dear husband Greg (who said she was the most beautiful girl when he saw her in a college class) only able to see her on FaceTime. Janette had bright hopes of outlasting her 9 month to live prognosis. With her gift of faith and will to beat the odds she saw her middle son married and her youngest son graduate from high school. Janette’s oldest son is autistic and her degree in special education along with her energetic personality helped in raising him and being his ultimate primary care giver. Laura and Janette share fun memories from high school and college where Janette Nelson was always in the middle of anything fun. Janette loved the mountains - skiing in the winters and hiking in the summers. Her memory will live on through her family and army of friends that hold glimmers of her in their hearts.

Ursula Barboza lost her son, Gabriel (age 4), to an accident. He was a special little boy. Something was different about him from the very beginning. She said, “There a lot of things we don’t understand in this life. It’s like a puzzle with pieces that fit together here or fit there.” Her wisdom in what she has learned from her grief journey is priceless. As a grief therapist now, she is changing lives and healing hearts. She had a daughter that was not even a month old when Gabriel died. Having to get up and take of her when Ursula didn’t ever want to get out of bed saved her life.