Something to Hold Onto

Elna Berlin was a great mom. To her kids and the neighborhood. Her husband was a truck driver so she was on her own a bit raising the kids. She loved holidays and birthdays and made everyone feel special. She loved the color red and loved coke and after collecting a room full and more of Coca Cola memorabilia she became the COKE LADY. If you google KSL Coke lady you can view a few segments about t...

Marti’s first loss was at age eight when her childhood friend died of cancer. Her younger brother, Mark, died while fixing their mom’s car. She later lost her father in law, Dad and Mom all in less than six months. Because of all she has gone through she has a huge, empathetic heart. Her wisdom in suggesting to feel the loss in your own timing and to let them know you love them is so helpful and i...

Tricia’s dad died at the end of her high school year. She was a senior. Pancreatic cancer was the culprit that took her dad, Gordon, in just a few short months after being diagnosed. Gordon was a happy, funny guy. Maybe a bit of a goofball. He was always smiling 😃 Tricia’s mom’s health was not great either. Kidney issues and blood clots took affect. She was the stricter parent, full of strength a...

David Glen Rees was a really young 74 year old. He worked hard and enjoyed life. He owned a farm and an electronics store that included video rentals back in the day. Sheryl was the middle of his three daughters. He taught them to work hard and to enjoy whatever they were doing. He taught them that “this needs to be done before the fun.” He was a great teacher. He loved milk and thought it would c...

Even before she was born, Carla was always called Toot. She met Mike and his twin brother Pat when they lived in the same neighborhood growing up. Mike’s twin died while they were in college. Toot said that they were married at an early age likely because, “The person that was always beside him was gone and he needed to fill that void.” Later they would name their son Pat to honor Mike’s twin. Mik...

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. S...

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...

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...

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...

“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 amaz...

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 th...

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...

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...

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 Compassiona...

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.

Dionne McCloud lost the love of her life 8 years ago. Rick, her husband had Alzheimer’s and died in his 60’s. She said she would take the sweet short amount of time she had with him over so many things others have to endure. Her son was diagnosed with Leukemia at age 7. It was then that she understood how important it is to turn it all over to God. She has devoted her life to her family and also t...

This episode is a short one filled with JOY! One week ago today a beautiful baby girl came into my world! There is just nothing like a baby and nothing like watching your own children become parents. My heart is overcome with gratitude and LOVE! Thanks for sharing it with me💞

This is episode is a visit with Tami Coons who lost her mom from a brain aneurysm 33 years ago, her son 10 years ago in his sleep and her dad just this year after his struggle with dementia. She is sadly not a stranger to sorrow and loss. A best friend along with a sister and brother have also died. When asked how she can handle the load of all this loss in her life, Tami said, “I just write to th...

When she was just 20 weeks along in her pregnancy, Sandy found out her little one had Trisomy 13. Sandy and her husband were told their baby may not live even one day. Their hopes and dreams for their little Daniel were shattered. “Having someone paint the picture of death was hard,” said this sweet mom. Sandy didn’t want Daniel to suffer and her husband just wanted Daniel to live. They had a bit...

Abi’s mom exemplified Strength. That is exactly what Abi has inside of her after helping her mom through dialysis, a kidney transplant, neuro virus, broken back, Guillain Barre Syndrome and more. Her mom was happy even though she was sick. And Abi said it was never a burden being by her mom’s side. “I can’t imagine my life any different......it was exactly how it was supposed to be,” said Abi. Her...

Suzanne Pike, my dear sister in law, shares sweet memories of her dad who died 3 years ago. She remembers how her dad would quietly serve and find solace in the scriptures. How he loved cars and scenic flights. 💙

Alexa was only 22 when her dad died in a ski accident. She recently started @griefshine on Instagram where she brings more awareness to grief journeys and how we can be happy and sad at the same time. She shares in this episode ways she has been able to honor her dad including a family trip to Peru. She says how she just felt so dark after his death and wanted to find light. “You find your brightn...

Robyn is the youngest of 5 kids in her family so she was able to spend lots of time with just her parents. They loved and taught her many things. They continue to bless her life even after they have both died. I Love You A Bushel and a Peck is something her dad always sang to her🎶♥️

When I was a little girl, my dad would wink at me. It always made me feel like everything was ok - that I was loved and safe. God is winking and waving at us.... in the little and the big things. He is watching over us and he if we look for them we can find the miracles even in the middle of a pandemic.

Jane Nichols lost her son in a battle with cancer. Garrett, who was lovingly nicknamed GarBear, was only 21 when he died of cancer that started in his knee. He was all about living. He taught his mom to rock climb and in doing so helped her later to see how to be “clipped in” and “harnessed” to God. Jane shares how God has our back and HE is in charge. She said, “Maybe we didn’t have a miracle of...