Nurturing Words: Voices of Experience

Send us Fan Mail 038  If you cannot see any light at the end of the tunnel, it is practically impossible to even know there is an end to the current situation. When life's changes stop you in your tracks, it is difficult to take that first step toward healing from the impact of the change. Rekita Chenault is a guest blog writer for the Motherless Daughters Ministry and another "voice of...

Send us Fan Mail 037 - Learning to live again after a significant loss involves a maze of feelings and emotions. Somewhere under the surface of grief can be found the topic of forgiveness. After layers of the obvious issues are peeled back, more complex concerns arise. Danielle Ilacqua, Motherless Daughters Ministry guest blogger, opened the door on the journey of examining her own mother loss sto...

Send us Fan Mail 036 - Many of the restrictions have been lifted, but we are still navigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its variants. Massive changes to our jobs, routines, economic status and more have affected relationships. Change is stressful and often triggers fear. How do we react to fear? Mary Ellen Collins, Founder and Executive Director of the Motherless Daughters Ministry s...

Send us Fan Mail 035 - How do you define “family?” Who do you consider a part of your family circle? Who are the people who have poured into your life and made a difference? The answers to these questions may include blood relatives as well as those who have no close connection. Penny Cesco is a founding member of the Motherless Daughters Ministry and is another “voice of experience.” This episode...

Send us Fan Mail 034 - The memories of a painful past are still painful as we recall the experience. But the fact that you survived those experiences means there was something that got you through. That “something” is as different as the person recalling the story.  The significance of this “voice of experience” is the unique set of survival tools that emerge. Kristin Mitchener is a blog writer wh...

Send us Fan Mail 033 - We remember, in detail, those moments that changed our lives. When triggered, those feelings and emotions wash over us like a massive wave. As we reminisce, there are secondary experiences that emerge as a significant part of our story. Julie Thompson, a Motherless Daughters Ministry volunteer, and blog writer, shares her story here and in a number of blogs that can be found...

Send us Fan Mail 032  - Those who have provided the secure foundation of our development and lit our pathway will forever remain in our hearts. The transitions of life cannot sever that connection or remove the desire to share with them the special moments in our life. Each of us has a unique story that details the people, events, and circumstances that make up the tapestry of our lives. Dottie Me...

Send us Fan Mail 031 - A neon sign cannot be missed. It demands attention and won’t be ignored. In the same way, the neon year announces its arrival and maintains attention until after the year ends.  Every motherless daughter will come face to face with her neon year. Having advanced knowledge is the key to navigating this phenomenon. Our Founder and Executive Director, Mary Ellen Collins opens t...

Send us Fan Mail 030 - Mother’s Day brings a lifetime of memories to the forefront. We are bombarded by enticements to spend lots of money on cards, gifts, family meals and activities to celebrate. But society neglects those who harbor a less than pleasant experience.  This podcast speaks to the entire motherless community.   Our guest blogger, Heather Wolper, is sharing the memories engraved in h...

Send us Fan Mail 029 - “I spent my entire life, checking off goal after goal with the unrealistic expectation of becoming the new improved” me. Can you identify with that scenario? We set goals, work hard and make progress toward what we think we want. But successful achievements do not always bring a feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment.  Goals not based upon truths yield impatience. Join u...

Send us Fan Mail 028 - Saying "Goodbye" to your childhood home can be an emotional experience. Whether you are leaving for the first time or going back to visit, it brings up all the associated memories. Our guest writer shares the experience of going down memory lane before a new family moves in to make their own memories. The Motherless Daughters Ministry serves women who have lost or...

Send us Fan Mail 027 - Healing is a process. When one suffers trauma such as mother loss at a young age seeds are sown, roots grow, and take hold. What if the roots are intertwined, tangled, and deeply embedded? Is it worth it to undergo the unearthing process? Will it be painful? Yes. Will it be easy? No. Will it be worth it? Yes. Our guest blogger shares about the roots that can get established...

Send us Fan Mail 026 - We never outlive our desire for the comfort of our mother. In its absence, we seek a replacement. This episode recounts the experience of dealing with this loss and absence during this challenging pandemic environment. The key is finding a healthy way to alleviate the discomfort. See if you can identify with Dottie Menkhaus' story. Support the show Thanks for listening!...

Send us Fan Mail 025 - Emotional presence is a powerful tool for those yielding support to anyone who is in need. It is especially effective when supporting a motherless daughter under 18 years of age. Presence requires one to put oneself second and move into the other person's emotional space. If you are a guardian or caretaker for a young motherless daughter, you will not want to miss t his...

Send us Fan Mail 024 - Survivors find a way to adapt and get through one day at a time. In recognition of Black History Month in February and Women's History Month in March, we present the plight of our black sisters, who were motherless daughters learning to survive. "It's not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent. It is the one who is most adaptable...

Send us Fan Mail 023 - Losing your mom to death becomes the second round when you have already lost her to a health or substance abuse issue.  Grieving the nurturing you long for becomes a way of life while you quietly look for alternative sources. The journey is a daily difficult combination of questions and confusion.   Chris Fishel, Cathy DiBella, and Gina Ellis open the door on their double lo...

Send us Fan Mail 022 - Navigating trauma as a motherless daughter can feel like you are drowning in an ocean of grief and shame with no life raft in sight. In processing our trauma, we may inadvertently be looking at current day experiences through "trauma glasses."  Healing from trauma can be very difficult. In this episode, two motherless daughters share their personal stories of traum...

Send us Fan Mail 021 -  On the eve of a new year we, typically, look back on what we came through during the past year.  As motherless daughters, we look back on our mother loss journey in its entirety, regardless of how long we have been on that path. The key to reaping the benefits of reflection is to be intentional in visualizing a new perspective on your future.  Today’s episode features our g...

Send us Fan Mail 020 - What's your experience as a motherless daughter? There is no one who has a story identical to yours. But ALL of us are challenged by the holiday season. In this episode, Dottie, Gina, and Kristin share their experience of surviving the holidays. Support the show Thanks for listening! Find our podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeart, Pandora, Amazon Music, an...

Send us Fan Mail 019  -  Surviving the holiday season when you are grieving takes forethought and planning.  In times of stress, we long for the nurturing a mother provides.  In the absence of that support, we look for a way to cope with the uncomfortable situations that arise. Cindy Stepanek opens the door to her story and offers some solutions.  Learning to live with managing grief starts with o...

Send us Fan Mail The empty chair at the dinner table on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and throughout the holiday season is a painful reminder of our loss.  Trying to avoid the pain is neither helpful nor healthy. Although we can put it off for unlimited amounts of time, sooner or later, we learn healthy ways for our grief to coexist with all the other emotions.  Dottie Menkhaus shares her story and upd...

Send us Fan Mail 017 - As we introduced mother loss at every age through the 60’s, there were unique aspects related to each developmental stage. This episode ends the series, but there is so much more. Common to every stage is the need to heal from our loss. Sooner or later, we will work through our grief from loss, regardless of how long ago it happened.  Support the show Thanks for listening! F...

Send us Fan Mail 016 -  Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common form of dementia, which affects memory, thinking, language and behavior. As it progresses, it can render your mother less and less recognizable as the person you have always known.  The mothering you have experienced and have come to expect is slipping away. This is another form of mother loss. No one understands better what you are go...

Send us Fan Mail Experiencing mother loss in the 50's may be a more common occurrence, but it still brings challenges.  The themes running through this era are changes and transitions. With change comes a loss of what was and transition to what is new.  walk with us as our Founder, Mary Ellen Collins talks about the 50's and hear one person's story. Support the show Thanks for liste...

Send us Fan Mail #014 0 - Experiencing mother loss in your 40’s brings yet another unique set of circumstances.  Although like the 30’s, the situation is even more complex. Life has become busier and the relationship has become more diversified. Grieving this loss requires the disciplined approach of the mature adult you have become. Support the show Thanks for listening! Find our podcast on Apple...