Daughters Without Moms

Johanna is an only child and it was just her and her mom growing up and they were incredibly close. Johanna's mom died in 2021 from colorectal cancer when Johanna was only 29 years old. Navigating life since her mom's death has left Johanna feeling lost, empty, and trying to pave a path for who she's supposed to be now. Here is the link to the podcast where Johanna's mom shared jus...

Aldon’s mom Alva died from breast cancer in 2003 when Aldon was 7 years old. Her mom’s journey was not a secret to Aldon, even at her young age, and she remembers that her mom did not let cancer take her pride. The battle was on her timeline. Aldon's Take-Away: Now at the age of 28, I realize that grief is a never-ending circle. Don't feel like you are on a timeline. No one will every unde...

Sohini lost her mom when she was 10 years old and her dad when she was 20. She realizes that from a very young age she had to understand and take responsibility for a lot of things that other people her age do not have to. She also recognizes that she reacts to things very differently because of her situation of losing both of her parents at a very young age. Sohini's Take-Away: No matter how...

Please choose another episode if suicide ideation will be unhelpful to your own grief journey. Joy’s mum died when she was 16, a month before her birthday. She worked in the hospital and died from Covid. It was hard because Joy never expected it to be her who would experience loss from Covid. Her mom was her best friend, but her faith, family and friends pulled her through. Joy spoke about the ver...

Platitudes are phrases that are widely used and regarded as a safe thing to say to someone who is hurting. In reality, these phrases normally have the opposite effect.  Listen to hear what fellow grievers have to say about platitudes, and how they made them feel. Then, continue listening to hear words that were received as loving, caring and supportive. This is not to make people for bad for the t...

Pooja lost her mother at the age of 10. This meant she had to step up and shoulder responsibilities for her younger sister, who has autism and can neither walk nor talk, and struggles with her hearing. While the weight of her past can sometimes overshadow her aspirations for the future, Pooja strives to radiate positivity and strength, even when the journey feels overwhelming. Pooja's Take-Awa...

This episode is an interview with my niece, Jenna, that originally aired 2 years ago. She became a DWOM in January, 2020 when her mom, my sister Amy, passed away after a long battle with cancer. We've talked a lot about how Amy always made decisions for her. It felt like a topic that others may have experienced as well. Her advice for making decisions without mom: Write out the question at han...

Today you'll meet my husband Brian. This podcast was published on our 25th wedding anniversary in 2021. I ask him to share his perspective on what it is like to support someone on their grief journey. Where I have lost all of the people in my family of origin, his parents and brothers are still living. We have both learned things about each other over the past 25 years. All of our stories are...

Amanda’s mom was diagnosed with colon cancer at the age of 42, and died 3 years later when Amanda was 15. Amanda was her mom’s shadow, and they had a unique and special bond. Amanda is now a mom herself, and even after 18 years, she still feels a hole in her heart from missing her mom. Amanda's Take-Away: I hope that other members of this club are able to eventually find closure and peace. I e...

Eden was 20 years old when her mom died. She's 40 now, a relatable age because she's closer to the age her mom was when she died. She went through depression, suicidal ideation, and everyday was a struggle. But the last 19 years have shown her that she will make it, and that she did make it, by the grace of God. Eden's Take-Away: I’m so thankful that I am now able to say that there are...

Please choose another episode if hearing about addiction will be unhelpful to your grief journey. Nikole's mother was an addict for the first 12 years of her life, and she felt as if she lost her mom emotionally during this time. After becoming clean for 10 years, she was diagnosed with Hepatitis C and relapsed on her sobriety. While trying to get clean again, she passed of a subdural hematoma...

Tayvia's mom died from pancreatic cancer on December 26th, 2022. Less than 2 months later, her grandmother died from COPD. Tayvia was raised by these 2 women and is an only child. Despite the loss, she knows her mothers have given her every tool to be successful in life, and a village of mama bears who love and guide her. Tayvia says that she would not be surviving this grief without these wom...

This episode originally aired in June of 2021, but since today is July 4th it seemed appropriate to share again. Chief Jim Leary was our local Police Chief for 10 years, until his recent retirement. In 2019, his wife Martha died from ALS. Chief had 46 years of police service, and also served in the US Army. However, none of this training or experience prepared him for the grief after losing his wi...

Today, June 27, 2023 marks 40 years since my mom's death. It hurts to even write those words. It seems impossible. Yet, here we are. To honor her today, I wanted to share some things I've come to believe about grief, and a few things I've learned. Everyone's grief journey is different, but for today, this is mine. I love you Mom, and miss you more than ever. All of our stories are...

Warning: Pratima's story contains elements of homicide and abuse. Please choose another story if these details will be unhealthy for your own grief journey. Pratima's mum died when she was 3, and she witnessed the whole thing. The memory is still very vivid for her. Her father abandoned her shortly after that, and she was raised by her maternal grandparents. Pratima's Take-Away: Stop l...

Kera lost her mom unexpectedly in June of 2023. She channeled her grief and all the things she's craving to hear from her mom into a guided journal so that we can leave behind advice, love and support for our loved ones. You can find her journal, Legacy Letters, on Amazon at this link: https://www.amazon.com/Legacy-Letters-Leaving-those-remain/dp/B0C1HZY9ZV/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2NWKSJROXDRVL&ke...

Burt lost his mom in 2016 after a 23-month battle with stage IV lung cancer. They traveled as much as possible, enjoyed picnics in the park and maintained healthy eating and exercise habits to keep her as strong as possible before transitioning to pain management. Burt's Take-Away: Being a male in our society I didn't feel that it was okay to cry. This journey has taught me that it's s...

Sierra's mother was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer at the age of 35, when Sierra was just 1 year old. After a four-year battle, they lost their mom in 1999 when Sierra was 5 and her brother was 8. Sierra's Take-Away : To anyone that listens, you are loved. Love is the fabric of our existence; please use that love to buffer some of the pain. There is always joy to be found in somewhat...

Amy's mom died when Amy was a senior in college. She had a brain aneurism, and Amy and her brother never got the chance to say good-bye as she died unexpectedly. Amy's dad had trouble handling the loss and soon remarried. Amy feels like she lost her mom and her dad at the same time. Amy's Take-Away: It's important to find a connection and support from people who have walked in the...

Today, May 16, 2023, is the 50th anniversary of Amy's mom's death. Her mom died when Amy was 5. Her dad died 6 years later when Amy was 11. That left Amy and her 2 older brothers. Amy shares how her brother is the hero of her story. Amy's Take-Away: I'd like to say thank you to the women who stepped into my life and cared for me: Mrs. Polignone, Mrs. Austin, Mrs. Crago, Mrs. Cadle, Mrs. Resig, Mrs...

This is a recording from the 2021 Mother's Day Circle hosted by myself, Rebecca, Lauren and Patricia. We are 4 daughters without moms who have very different stories. Beth: Lost my mom as a teenager, developing self-love in her absence Patricia: Recent loss of mom, motherless mother of 3 children (Patricia shared in Episode 15 of Season 1 on the podcast) Rebecca: Complicated relationship with...

This episode originally aired in August of 2021. In this episode, I share my thoughts about worthiness, and some of the things I've done personally to strengthen my foundation of self-worth. In the podcast, I also share the names of a few of my favorite authors and podcasters:  Brené Brown ,  Susan David ,  Jim Kwik  and  Dr. Daniel Amen . All of our stories are important! If you have a story...

Cate's mom died 17 years ago. Cate was 24 at the time, the youngest of the 4 sisters. Being a motherless mom has been her biggest grief so far. She feels like she experiences the loss of her mom over and over. Cate's Take-Away: It took being a mom to really understand my mom. Even though I don't have her here anymore, my heart talks to her all the time. And I'll take it! It's a...

Maria's mom died when she was 2 years old. For nearly 3 decades, Maria tried many different approaches to interact with and share her grief. She learned that people need to better understand how to navigate grief – either that of others or their own. That, paired with the impacts of the pandemic, and Philotimo Life was born! Philotimo Life works to modernize death policies and to normalize the...

Lot lost her mother to metastatic breast cancer when she was 22. Then she experienced another life event and, as Lot says, "the lid was off!" At 32 years old she has given herself space for her grieving process. Her grieving process has resulted in the mission to make grief more and more negotiable and to be an example of how it can be done. Lot is a holistic life coach, mind-body practi...