Warrior Moms: Surviving Child Loss

Thank you so much for listening! We'd love to hear from you---what you would love to hear, what you like, what helped, etc. With love, Warrior Moms Michele & Amy

Emily Simmons, just three months from retiring from the military, got a call no mother ever wants---her beloved son Darren had died in a car accident. Emily shares about her well-loved son and what that first terrible year looked like for her. She also shares such clear and important pieces of advice for how to truly survive---and thrive in childloss.

Amy and I loved sitting with her, hearing of her honest vulnerability about loss and her great love for Darren, which propels her to live a life she knows he is proud of. Thank you for sharing your grief journey!

We'd love to hear from our followers!
Facebook: Warrior Moms-The Club No One Wants to Be In
Instagram: WarriorMoms.SurvivingChildLoss 

"Dream Bird" by Jonny Easton

Support the show

Thank you for listening to Warrior Moms podcast. It is an honor to share about our beloved children gone too soon, and we hope by telling of our loss, it may help someone in their grief journey. Please note that we are not medical professionals and encourage those listening to seek help from mental health professionals. 

We'd love to hear from our followers! 

Please help support us, so we can help support other grieving moms. 
Websites: 

https://www.warriormoms.me/

https://www.warriormomssupportfoundation.org/

DONATE * Listen to Other Podcast Episodes * Sign up for Newsletter * Get on our Retreat Waitlist * Invite Us to Speak * Contact us!

With love,
Warrior Moms Amy & Michele

Thank you so much for listening! We'd love to hear from you---what you would love to hear, what you like, what helped, etc. With love, Warrior Moms Michele & Amy

Whether it's race car or unicorn themed, our children's birthdays are such joy for parents! Celebrating the life, love, and happiness of another year---(sigh)---(deep breath)---having your child's life gone too soon brings pain, words which hardly show the sadness. Yet, the Warrior Moms find ways to toast and hike, to travel and remember in intentional and joyful ways...all while giving grace to themselves for this difficult day.

Tune in to hear about some wonderful ideas for celebrating your child's special day all while finding ways to give grace and as Amy says, "feel all the feels"!

With love,
Amy Durham & Michele Davis
Warrior Moms

We'd love to hear from our followers!
Facebook: Warrior Moms-The Club No One Wants to Be In
Instagram: WarriorMoms.SurvivingChildLoss

"Dream Bird" by Jonny Easton

Support the show

Thank you for listening to Warrior Moms podcast. It is an honor to share about our beloved children gone too soon, and we hope by telling of our loss, it may help someone in their grief journey. Please note that we are not medical professionals and encourage those listening to seek help from mental health professionals. 

We'd love to hear from our followers! 

Please help support us, so we can help support other grieving moms. 
Websites: 

https://www.warriormoms.me/

https://www.warriormomssupportfoundation.org/

DONATE * Listen to Other Podcast Episodes * Sign up for Newsletter * Get on our Retreat Waitlist * Invite Us to Speak * Contact us!

With love,
Warrior Moms Amy & Michele

Thank you so much for listening! We'd love to hear from you---what you would love to hear, what you like, what helped, etc. With love, Warrior Moms Michele & Amy

The sudden loss of a friend can send shockwaves through the heart, leaving us to grapple with a grief that's as complex as it is profound. Our latest conversation takes you on a journey through the sorrow of losing someone who was not just a friend but a cherished connection to our late son, Alec. We open up about the emptiness that follows, and how this dear soul's absence reverberates through every guitar string he once played with our son and each family gathering he brightened with his presence. It's a raw and honest exploration of the intricate web of mourning, love, and the memories that bind us, even after someone has gone.

As we prepare for Alec's pizza party with one less laugh in the chorus, the episode turns to the supportive embrace we extend to friends and family when they face their own losses. Listening becomes a lifeline, "feeling the feels" a necessary passage, and sharing stories a bridge across the void left behind. We're reminded that while we may not always be able to offer a physical hug, the connections forged through our shared narratives are a powerful salve. Our gratitude for the support of our listeners shines through as we reflect on the importance of keeping the voices of those we've loved alive in our conversations, creating a collective sanctuary for those seeking solace and understanding in their times of need.

We'd love to hear from our followers!
Facebook: Warrior Moms-The Club No One Wants to Be In
Instagram: WarriorMoms.SurvivingChildLoss 

"Dream Bird" by Jonny Easton

Support the show

Thank you for listening to Warrior Moms podcast. It is an honor to share about our beloved children gone too soon, and we hope by telling of our loss, it may help someone in their grief journey. Please note that we are not medical professionals and encourage those listening to seek help from mental health professionals. 

We'd love to hear from our followers! 

Please help support us, so we can help support other grieving moms. 
Websites: 

https://www.warriormoms.me/

https://www.warriormomssupportfoundation.org/

DONATE * Listen to Other Podcast Episodes * Sign up for Newsletter * Get on our Retreat Waitlist * Invite Us to Speak * Contact us!

With love,
Warrior Moms Amy & Michele

Thank you so much for listening! We'd love to hear from you---what you would love to hear, what you like, what helped, etc. With love, Warrior Moms Michele & Amy

Christi Howard, one of the Atlanta founding Warrior Moms, gave such a moving interview! From wisdom about how to give grace and seek help in early grief years, particularly on dark days to wisdom about mothering other children while grieving, Amy and learned so much from Christi about being intentional about finding joy. Her message loud and clear was that we each deserve to find happiness again...while learning to carry such deep sadness.

Hearing about Christi's vibrant, independent, and creative daughter Ashley was also such a joy. One story was about her 15-year learner's permit with her proud decision to be an organ donor; little did they know that Ashley's decision would help them answer a doctor's question about donating Ashley's organs. This story is heartbreaking and beautiful, such a testament to the Howard family's love for one another and their really hard work.

Thank you, sweet friend, for sharing your priceless advice. We love you dearly!

We'd love to hear from our followers!
Facebook: Warrior Moms-The Club No One Wants to Be In
Instagram: WarriorMoms.SurvivingChildLoss 

"Dream Bird" by Jonny Easton

Support the show

Thank you for listening to Warrior Moms podcast. It is an honor to share about our beloved children gone too soon, and we hope by telling of our loss, it may help someone in their grief journey. Please note that we are not medical professionals and encourage those listening to seek help from mental health professionals. 

We'd love to hear from our followers! 

Please help support us, so we can help support other grieving moms. 
Websites: 

https://www.warriormoms.me/

https://www.warriormomssupportfoundation.org/

DONATE * Listen to Other Podcast Episodes * Sign up for Newsletter * Get on our Retreat Waitlist * Invite Us to Speak * Contact us!

With love,
Warrior Moms Amy & Michele

What an unbelievable gift---to have a student want to know about your child, but to have that student write a gorgeous song that anyone who has lost someone can relate to. "Traces of You" captures the missing of our Carter, our "crooked smile boy" who really did seek the sun. 

Slater Nalley wrote this as junior, 17 years old, and wise beyond his years. He read a poem I wrote in honor or Carter and asked if he could work on it a bit. He created an absolutely beautiful song, playing guitar and harmonica paired with priceless lyrics, a gift never expected, but one that my family and I will treasure forever.

The Carter Davis Memorial Foundation sponsors a unique event: a lacrosse pickup game. 2024 attendance was incredible with almost 200 people, 78 lacrosse players ranging from 12 years to 65 years old, and 23 high schools represented (16 local schools)! Slater Nalley and the Ring Tabs Band (5 students also juniors) played for over two hours. The River Ridge HS Lacrosse Coach, Pete Manderano, refereed the game, and everyone had a blast! 

Slater sang this song after six weeks of musical practice with 3 performances the three previous days. Exhausted but so glad to be there, Slater sang with heart and soul, honoring our son, Carter Davis. 

You can follow Slater Nalley Music (trademarked) on Instagram @slaternalleymusic. -- We are going to see him on a big stage one day, no doubt! 

To find us online, find us on Facebook and Instagram!
Here's our page:
Facebook: Warrior Moms-The Club No One Wants to Be in
Instagram: Warrior Moms.SurvivingChildLoss

We love that you're listening and are thankful for each of you. We'd love to hear from you, what have helped you, and what you'd like us to talk about!

With love in 2024,
Michele & Amy
Warrior Moms

Thank you so much for listening! We'd love to hear from you---what you would love to hear, what you like, what helped, etc. With love, Warrior Moms Michele & Amy

"Dream Bird" by Jonny Easton

Thank you for listening to Warrior Moms podcast. It is an honor to share about our beloved children gone too soon, and we hope by telling of our loss, it may help someone in their grief journey. Please note that we are not medical professionals and encourage those listening to seek help from mental health professionals.

We'd love to hear from our followers!
Website: https://www.warriormoms.me/
Facebook: Warrior Moms-The Club No One Wants to Be In
Instagram: WarriorMoms.SurvivingChildLoss

With love,
Warrior Moms Amy & Michele

Thank you so much for listening! We'd love to hear from you---what you would love to hear, what you like, what helped, etc. With love, Warrior Moms Michele & Amy

One of the most amazing gifts I've ever been given is from a junior student of mine, Slater Nalley. He wrote a song called "Traces of You" in memory of Carter Davis and Natalie Henderson. I told my school's chaplain about this, and he invited Slater and me to talk in chapel. Incredibly nervous, I knew I had to push past my nerves to share Slater's song and have a chance to talk about Carter. Speaking in chapel was one of the best days.

I hope you'll join me for this week's podcast. For the school chapel's sermon, I chose 3 verses that are so important to me and my family. In chapel, they were on the screen for students to see. Here are the ones I reference in the sermon:

Readings:

A reading from Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”

A reading from Revelations 21:4: “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

A reading from Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

What a treasure to talk about how I keep faith in the middle of such deep grief and how I choose to lean in, to seek joy and light. I'm so grateful to Slater Nalley who played the song in chapel---it was inspiring, beautiful, and a gift that allows our sunshine to live on in music.  

To find Warrior Moms: Surviving Childloss online, find us on Facebook and Instagram!
Here's our page:
Facebook: Warrior Moms-The Club No One Wants to Be in
Instagram: Warrior Moms.SurvivingChildLoss

We love that you're listening and are thankful for each of you. We'd love to hear from you, what have helped you, and what you'd like us to talk about!

With love in 2024,
Michele & Amy
Warrior Moms

"Dream Bird" by Jonny Easton

Support the show

Thank you for listening to Warrior Moms podcast. It is an honor to share about our beloved children gone too soon, and we hope by telling of our loss, it may help someone in their grief journey. Please note that we are not medical professionals and encourage those listening to seek help from mental health professionals. 

We'd love to hear from our followers! 

Please help support us, so we can help support other grieving moms. 
Websites: 

https://www.warriormoms.me/

https://www.warriormomssupportfoundation.org/

DONATE * Listen to Other Podcast Episodes * Sign up for Newsletter * Get on our Retreat Waitlist * Invite Us to Speak * Contact us!

With love,
Warrior Moms Amy & Michele

Thank you so much for listening! We'd love to hear from you---what you would love to hear, what you like, what helped, etc. With love, Warrior Moms Michele & Amy

We are so honored to have Courtney join us this week. She shares about her precious 2-year-old, book-loving, dinosaur-playing little boy, Miller. A medical emergency, a nightmare choice---Courtney shares her heartache but her silver-lining attitude as she allows joy and grief to co-exist.

We hope you'll listen as I know, Courtney inspires us!

With love,
Warrior Moms

We'd love to hear from our followers!
Facebook: Warrior Moms-The Club No One Wants to Be In
Instagram: WarriorMoms.SurvivingChildLoss 

"Dream Bird" by Jonny Easton

Support the show

Thank you for listening to Warrior Moms podcast. It is an honor to share about our beloved children gone too soon, and we hope by telling of our loss, it may help someone in their grief journey. Please note that we are not medical professionals and encourage those listening to seek help from mental health professionals. 

We'd love to hear from our followers! 

Please help support us, so we can help support other grieving moms. 
Websites: 

https://www.warriormoms.me/

https://www.warriormomssupportfoundation.org/

DONATE * Listen to Other Podcast Episodes * Sign up for Newsletter * Get on our Retreat Waitlist * Invite Us to Speak * Contact us!

With love,
Warrior Moms Amy & Michele

Thank you so much for listening! We'd love to hear from you---what you would love to hear, what you like, what helped, etc. With love, Warrior Moms Michele & Amy

"It's only things" could not be further from the truth. The blanket, the stuffed animal, the sports helmet, and yes, even the favorite sweatshirt rarely washed---these things are the only physical items we have left of our child. Trying to decide what to do with these things...let alone their whole room...is an impossible task.

In this episode, Amy and Michele share what they did, what a few other Warrior Moms have done, and give you absolute permission to do what feels right.

We are hugging our fellow grieving moms and dads as this is a tough one. Breathe. Pray. Sleep. One small step at a time.

With love,
Warrior Moms

We'd love to hear from our followers!
Facebook: Warrior Moms-The Club No One Wants to Be In
Instagram: WarriorMoms.SurvivingChildLoss 

"Dream Bird" by Jonny Easton

Support the show

Thank you for listening to Warrior Moms podcast. It is an honor to share about our beloved children gone too soon, and we hope by telling of our loss, it may help someone in their grief journey. Please note that we are not medical professionals and encourage those listening to seek help from mental health professionals. 

We'd love to hear from our followers! 

Please help support us, so we can help support other grieving moms. 
Websites: 

https://www.warriormoms.me/

https://www.warriormomssupportfoundation.org/

DONATE * Listen to Other Podcast Episodes * Sign up for Newsletter * Get on our Retreat Waitlist * Invite Us to Speak * Contact us!

With love,
Warrior Moms Amy & Michele

Thank you so much for listening! We'd love to hear from you---what you would love to hear, what you like, what helped, etc. With love, Warrior Moms Michele & Amy

Amy Durham shares about her 24-year old son Alec who went missing for 10 days and after a large police grid-search, he was found. She talks about his struggles with addiction and how this led to his final breath, yet it is certainly not what you expect. Amy discusses her advocacy for recovery and continuing to celebrate Alec's life beyond the life of an addict. 

Amy and Jeff created a community event called Alec's Pizza Party. It is an event filled with music, games, food, and fun--all honoring Alec's life and educating others about addiction. Their slogan is based off of Alec's first tattoo, which reads:  ME---First, I must find happiness within ME before I can find it outside of ME.  More information can be found here: amydurham.me

To find us online, find us on Facebook and Instagram!
Here's our page:
Facebook: Warrior Moms-The Club No One Wants to Be in
Instagram: Warrior Moms.SurvivingChildLoss

We love that you're listening and are thankful for each of you. We'd love to hear from you, what have helped you, and what you'd like us to talk about!

With love in 2024,
Michele & Amy
Warrior Moms

"Dream Bird" by Jonny Easton

Support the show

Thank you for listening to Warrior Moms podcast. It is an honor to share about our beloved children gone too soon, and we hope by telling of our loss, it may help someone in their grief journey. Please note that we are not medical professionals and encourage those listening to seek help from mental health professionals. 

We'd love to hear from our followers! 

Please help support us, so we can help support other grieving moms. 
Websites: 

https://www.warriormoms.me/

https://www.warriormomssupportfoundation.org/

DONATE * Listen to Other Podcast Episodes * Sign up for Newsletter * Get on our Retreat Waitlist * Invite Us to Speak * Contact us!

With love,
Warrior Moms Amy & Michele

Thank you so much for listening! We'd love to hear from you---what you would love to hear, what you like, what helped, etc. With love, Warrior Moms Michele & Amy

Happy New Year, y'all! Amy and I are excited to start 2024, but also we have sadness, thinking about adding one more between when we last had moments with our child. Yet, we put one foot in front of the other and still find things to celebrate and plans to make. 

Join us to hear how to grieve and find joy in a new year. 

To find us online, find us on Facebook and Instagram!
Here's our page:
Facebook: Warrior Moms-The Club No One Wants to Be in
Instagram: Warrior Moms.SurvivingChildLoss

We love that you're listening and are thankful for each of you. We'd love to hear from you, what have helped you, and what you'd like us to talk about!

With love in 2024,
Michele & Amy
Warrior Moms

"Dream Bird" by Jonny Easton

Support the show

Thank you for listening to Warrior Moms podcast. It is an honor to share about our beloved children gone too soon, and we hope by telling of our loss, it may help someone in their grief journey. Please note that we are not medical professionals and encourage those listening to seek help from mental health professionals. 

We'd love to hear from our followers! 

Please help support us, so we can help support other grieving moms. 
Websites: 

https://www.warriormoms.me/

https://www.warriormomssupportfoundation.org/

DONATE * Listen to Other Podcast Episodes * Sign up for Newsletter * Get on our Retreat Waitlist * Invite Us to Speak * Contact us!

With love,
Warrior Moms Amy & Michele