Facing the holiday season after losing a child is an unimaginable challenge. Imagine the struggle of embracing Christmas traditions when the absence of a loved one is overwhelmingly palpable. In this episode, we're joined by Rae Ann Gruver and Brandy Couey, two courageous mothers who bravely share their journey through grief during the holidays. Together, we explore how each mother finds ways to honor their sons' memories and navigate the festive season with both sorrow and love.

As hosts, we, Michele Davis and Amy Durham, lead a discussion on the healing power of traditions, both old and new. Rae Ann shares the story of her friends who organized a touching tribute using ornaments to honor her son, Max, and Brandi shares about Cole's Christmas tree at the cemetery, both illustrating the significance of community support. Both Warrior Moms speak of how to give space for grief moments away from the holiday bustle. They delve into the creative ways they adapted their traditions, whether by baking cookies, decorating a thematic tree, or revisiting cherished rituals, all while allowing themselves the grace to process their emotions.

As we journey through the bittersweet landscape of holiday memories, we emphasize the importance of connection, presence, and creating meaningful experiences with loved ones. Together, we uncover how love, memory, and the support of others can transform holiday grief into a journey of hope and remembrance.

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

How do you navigate the ups and downs of grief during the holiday season, especially Thanksgiving, after losing a child? Join us, Amy and Michele, as we sit down with our guest, Jenny Stanley, to share personal stories and offer strategies for managing the complex emotions that accompany this time of year. Jenny invites us into her world of grappling with the question, “Why us?” during festive family gatherings, while Amy reflects on the bittersweet solace found in these moments. Together, we explore the interplay between societal expectations of gratitude and the personal sorrow felt when a loved one is absent.

Thanksgiving traditions can be both a comfort and a challenge. In our conversation, we recount how families adapt their rituals to honor those no longer with us—whether it’s setting an extra chair at the table, or finding comfort in the presence of an empty one. We also touch upon the diverse ways families choose to remember their lost loved ones, from open celebrations to quieter, unspoken acts of remembrance. This delicate balance of honoring the past while celebrating the present offers profound lessons on resilience and love.

Throughout our discussion, we underscore the power of self-compassion and the importance of evolving family dynamics. Welcoming new members and crafting new traditions to embrace both memory and change are key themes we explore. With insights from our shared experiences, we encourage listeners to offer themselves grace, cherish moments of gratitude, and create a nurturing environment during Thanksgiving. Whether you're new to this journey or have walked it for many years, find hope and comfort in the collective support of our Warrior Moms community.

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

Jenny Schick joins us to share the courageous story of her daughter Logan, a young woman whose vibrant spirit was shadowed by struggles with anxiety, ADD, and, ultimately, addiction. Jenny opens up about the early signs of Logan's mental health challenges, like the day-to-day anxiety that spiraled from something as simple as a social interaction in third grade. Through Jenny's heartfelt memories, we gain insight into the profound impact mental health can have on a child's life and how these challenges do not define who they are at their core.

The episode takes a poignant turn as we explore the harrowing path Logan faced with addiction. From the initial use of Xanax to the devastating grip of heroin, Logan's journey unfolds amidst traumatic events and systemic failures in the recovery landscape. We discuss the importance of informed decisions when it comes to treatment options and the relentless cycle of addiction that Logan endured, with it finally ending in fentanyl poisoning. This conversation sheds light on the harsh realities of addiction recovery and the need for better support systems to help those in need.

Grief and healing are intricate parts of this narrative, as Jenny shares the emotional aftermath of losing a child. We touch on the complexities of family dynamics, the balancing act of parenting through crises, and the enduring "what ifs" that linger. Yet, amidst the sorrow, there are glimmers of hope and resilience, like celebrating a family wedding in memory of Logan. Jenny reflects on the healing power of community support, emphasizing the strength foofelping with her daughter Jordan's wedding. This episode offers a heartfelt exploration of loss, love, and the resilience needed to keep moving forward while honoring those we've lost.

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

Brandi joins us for a deeply moving episode of Warrior Moms, where she shares an intimate and poignant story about her son Cole, a young man whose spirit touched everyone he met. Discover how Cole's joyful nature and love for sports and life left an indelible mark on his family, friends, and community. Through Brandi's vivid storytelling, we get to know Cole as a kind-hearted, humorous soul, forming bonds on and off the field, and even bringing laughter home with playful antics.

But life took a devastating turn with a tragic car accident that claimed Cole's life. Brandi opens up about the heart-wrenching weekend that changed everything, painting an immense picture of the support and love that family, friends, and their school community gave them. As we listen, Brandi shares the essential guidance from a family friend who had walked a similar path, and the powerful tribute organized to honor Cole's memory, complete with heartfelt mementos and an unforgettable timeline of his life.

In her journey of navigating grief, Brandi shares personal reflections on finding moments of healing and normalcy. We explore the strategies she employed—such as reading and exercise—that brought solace amidst sorrow. By embracing Cole's essence of joy, Brandi inspires us with her resilience, finding comfort in teaching and connecting with those around her. This episode is a testament to the enduring power of love, community, and the cherished memories of those we hold dear.

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

Can you truly find joy after profound loss? Join us as we explore this compelling question with Dr. Natasha Trujillo, a psychologist who has dedicated her career to helping individuals navigate the intertwining paths of grief, trauma, and performance. In this heartfelt conversation, Dr. Trujillo shares insights from her multifaceted career, explaining how grief often intersects with other mental health issues like eating disorders and trauma. Her experiences working with athletes and her deeply personal book provide a foundation for discussing the importance of normalizing grief and avoiding self-criticism along the way.

Family dynamics play a crucial role in our understanding and processing of trauma, as Dr. Trujillo elaborates on the empathy that can arise from recognizing a parent's past traumas. We discuss the unique challenges faced by grieving mothers and the importance of "doing the work" to navigate through grief. From basic survival tasks to deeper therapeutic efforts, Dr. Trujillo stresses the necessity of integrating loss into one’s life while maintaining commitment despite fluctuating motivation. Practical strategies for managing social interactions and the dual nature of life events are also discussed, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging both gains and losses.

Living with both joy and sorrow is a complex journey, one that we explore through various lenses. Dr. Trujillo underscores the significance of open communication within families and respecting each individual's unique coping mechanisms. We touch on the book And She Was Never The Same Again, a multi-generational memoir that encapsulates the lasting effects of grief and loss on families. This episode is a powerful reminder of the value of self-awareness, mutual understanding, and open dialogue in navigating grief and supporting each other. Join us for this insightful discussion and discover how facing grief can eventually lead to finding joy.

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

Planning a summer vacation should be joyful, right? But what happens when the simple thought of packing your bags brings on a wave of anxiety and sadness? Join us as we unravel our own emotional journeys through vacation planning. Amy and I candidly share the frustration, excitement, and sometimes overwhelming grief that accompany these family trips. From the struggle to sync schedules for our podcast to the bittersweet moments of joy upon arriving at our destinations, we don’t hold back on the complex feelings that vacations can entail, especially when dealing with loss.

In this heartfelt episode, we discuss practical strategies to manage vacation-related stress and embrace family time, even when it's tough. By opening up about our personal experiences, we emphasize the importance of being present and having open conversations with our children about their expectations and feelings.

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

What a beautiful interview we had with Anna Howard, lovingly referred to as "Annie" in her early years. Her wisdom is beyond her twenty-three years and shares important advice for other siblings who have lived losing their beloved sibling. For Annie, she lost her best friend, Ashley.

This episode Annie, a successful, young hairdresser, tells her grief journey weaving threads of loss, remembrance, and healing.

Annie shares what helped her through the first 3-5 years, one being Kate's Club, a safe place for kids who have lost a sibling or parent to share their sorrow as well as learn how to cope...knowing they are not alone. Here, Annie discusses the transformation grief forces a child to go through; for her, the traumatic boat accident and loss of Ashley turned her "into a shell of herself." Yet, now years later, Annie is once again outgoing and finds strength in her own voice.

We are so thankful to Annie and how she bravely peels back the layers of her personal struggles with faith, her protective instincts in times of trauma, and the way loss entwines with everyday interactions—be it with family or clients in her hairdressing chair.

Annie's courage offers a hope to us moms, wanting to hear what helps our surviving children. She also offers clear advice to other siblings that it is "ok to cry" and shares her belief in the subtle signs that keep the memory of Ashley ever-present, from digital frames to conversations with her nephews to noticing butterflies or a "fat bird" nearby.

Join us for a heartfelt testament to the enduring impact of sibling loss and Annie's profound comfort found in Ashley's continued presence.

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

To say we are honored to witness such joy and bravery is an understatement. Emily McHenry, you amaze us. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and joy.

When Emily McHenry speaks about her brother Jamie, you can hear the love and loss in every word. Our heartfelt conversation with Emily reveals the poignant journey of a sibling's bond tested by the untimely passing of her brother. We travel through Emily's treasured memories, the laughter, and the tears, delving into how her family's love crafted a foundation of resilience amid their profound loss. The narrative of Jamie's life and his lasting influence on Emily's own path, including her pursuit of lacrosse and joy, creates a vivid backdrop for this episode.

As Emily recounts the aftermath of Jamie's death, we uncover the power of vulnerability and community in the healing process. We touch on the remarkable way parents face their grief while supporting their children, and Emily's admiration for her own parents' strength in such times. Her experiences underscore the importance of communal support, like the Jamie's Rocketshot 5k, which serves not just as a tribute but as a way to honor Jamie. This conversation is a testament to the ways in which a community can wrap its arms around those who are mourning, offering a shared strength that endures.

The episode concludes with a compassionate look at the nuances of grieving, as Emily shares how embracing every emotion has been crucial to her journey. We explore her use of journaling as a therapeutic outlet, the importance of creating new traditions to honor Jamie, and the ongoing quest to find balance between joy and sorrow. By sharing her story, Emily offers insights and guidance to anyone navigating grief, illustrating how personal growth and the discovery of individual coping strategies are possible even in the darkest of times. Join us for this touching tribute and learn how celebrating memories can lead us towards healing and hope.

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