When Dale McIntosh came to order Carrie Bears, I had no idea the incredible connection we were about to discover. His wife Nellie was my girls camp counselor about 35 years prior. (See episode #2 for details). In this episode, Dale talks about how he and Nellie fell in love, how she taught him to LOVE PEOPLE, and have fun. It was discovered at just age 51 that Nellie had early onset Alzheimer’s. She died just a few years later. Dale said, “The movie The Greatest Showman saved me.” They went to see it over 30 times. Nellie relived the whole thing every time she saw it including dancing in the isles. After she started to have seizures everything went down hill from there. She told Dale to “find another hottie to marry”. She wanted him to be happy again... and he wanted that too. He found Kimberly just a year after he lost his Nellie. Kimberly’s spouse has died also. Together they are on a new journey. Not forgetting their first loves, but remembering together💞

Michelle Lehnardt was named young mother of the year in 2013. She has 5 sons and one daughter. She is a writer, photographer, parenting coach and has done a documentary on grief. Her own life lessons and thoughts about when her mom died provide profound insights into each grief journey. Michelle said her mom, Zo, died beautifully. She looked outward instead of inward in her last days. “We shy away from grief, where we really should talk about it more,” Michelle shares.“Every day is precious. Every opportunity is precious.” (scenesfromthewild.net)

My grandma, Dora Annette Sander Gray, knew about sorrow and grief at an early age. She lost her sister, Irene at age 9. My grandma was just 4 years old. My grandma also shared about when her grandma died. She worked for the Union Pacific Railroad and vacationed and travelled by train. When she got married, she and my grandpa took a six week honeymoon on the train which she would not recommend. It was just too long to be gone 😉 She loved her husband, loved her girls, loved to play games, loved to sew and serve and loved the Lord.

Max was a gamer. He was funny and full of life. He was real and just told it like it was. He also suffered from ADD and depression. His parents Jana and Steve Warner talk all about their son with laughter and heartache in this episode. They felt like the medication he was on was working. They didn’t realize he was also self mediating. They celebrate him by decorating his grave on special occasions. He loved McDonald’s hash browns (10 of them) and Dr. Pepper. They think about the memories they made with him to get them through. Neighbors, friends and their faith help keep them going.

“Every day is a gift” was the philosophy of Rachel’s dad, Harold Dean Trimble. A tumor was discovered in between her dad’s ear drum and brain when Rachel was in second grade. Several more cancerous spots would later appear in his liver, intestines and gallbladder. “He loved life,” Rachel said, “he respected it, cherished it and made it count.” Rachel’s dad and mom are examples of strength and amazing faith. He is also remembered for his banana milkshakes and fresh raspberry ice cream🍧. Rachel and I have something in common. We both create something new out of something old. I make Carrie Bears and she transforms doors, cabinets, walls and more to create a fresh new look in homes and businesses. @paintwithrach. In her work she meets so many wonderful people. She also shares in this episode a tender story of a client who lost her husband in a tragic accident and then soon after lost her daughter to suicide. 💔🐻

In this episode I share about my worry in fixing a motor for my stuffing machine. Sometimes miracles take time. Sometimes they don’t come in the way we think they should. But I know God hears our prayers. I know He is in the details of our lives. I know He wants to help us and knows what we need even before we ask. I am SO grateful for His guidance and for the many blessings he gives... even in the form of helping me with a motor for my stuffing machine.🤗🙏🏻♥️

Brent’s dad, Gary, died two years ago after suffering from a stroke and a hardened carotid artery. Gary was Brent’s best example of hard work but his dad also took time to coach soccer and be there to support his kids in all of their events. Gary was a wrestler in college. He loved westerns and Louis L’Amour books. Most of all he loved his family. It is hard not to have him around as a grandpa for his kids but Brent takes comfort in knowing it isn’t the last time he will see he dad.

Gary is the husband of Shanna McPheters who shares their story in the previous Episode #43. Their sweet Brooke died at age 15 at the hands of a drunk driver. After a few years, they moved from Alaska to Nevada where they are involved in helping others find hope through volunteer work. Gary shares about his realization to seek professional help when he had thoughts of wanting to be with Brooke. He understands everyone grieves differently, but wants to help bring hope to others in their journey. He says “I get up every morning just wanting to honor Brookie”. He and his wife speak to groups sharing their story to bring awareness to the consequences of drunk driving. He shares his heart of gold in this episode 💛

Shanna McPheters shares her story of her daughter, Brooke, who was run down by a drunk driver. Brooke always wanted to help someone to “smile or laugh” everyday. Brooke loved to serve her community in Anchorage, Alaska. She was involved in JROTC and Children’s Lunchbox. She was so loving. Shanna and her husband honor Brooke by serving in and supporting non profit organizations like The Compassionate Friends, MADD, and animal organizations. They are also very appreciative of the police and first responders who have to respond to the tough calls like this one. Shanna has spoken in the citizens academy and different schools to help bring awareness and prevention to drunk driving. They honor their daughter everyday💞

It was just a cold. Just a few days of being sick, when Bobbie took her daughter into the doctor. What seemed like something so little, turned into a life changing 72 hours and then 72 days. Bobbie said she can imagine her daughter telling her to just “Get Going”. She misses her but keeps herself busy to help with this great loss.