Holding the Light: Sharing Hope After Child Loss

Pattie Gallant: Anticipatory Grief

There is no handbook for grieving the loss of a child. We learn to grieve exactly where we are. Words of wisdom from Pattie, a bereaved Mom whose son Evan died from cancer at age 21. Pattie shares her anticipatory grief as she prepared for her child’s passing; the complicated guilt of wanting the suffering to end; and the nine year journey of caring for her son, while still parenting a young child. There was so much to share that we produced a two-part episode.  Part 2 of our conversation with Pattie airs June 11.  What did you think? Share your feedback in a text message. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1914805/fan_mail/new] Holding the Light is an original, monthly podcast  created and hosted by Monica and Colby Charette, edited and produced by Monica Charette, with support from Julia Vigue and Sophia Speeckaert.  EMAIL US [http://holdingthelightpodcast@gmail.com/]  (shineoncass@gmail.com) with questions, comments, or a request to join us as a guest. We also welcome you to visit us at ShineOnCass [http://www.shineoncass.org/]  (www.shineoncass.org) where our family continues to Shine the Light of Cassidy. Our podcast’s theme music is  As Long As You Love (Scarlet Wings) written and sung by Cindy Bullens, from the album Somewhere Between Heaven and Earth produced by Blue Lobster Records (1999).  Available on CD or download at www.cidnybullens.com [http://www.cidnybullens.com/]. Mention Holding the Light Podcast and receive a signed copy! We want to hear from YOU. Leave us a voicemail! If there is something you’ve learned in your grief journey that might be helpful for others, we invite you to  leave us a message. We will listen to every one. Some might even be used in a future  episode. You can also let us know what you think of our podcast, suggest a topic, or request to be a guest. The number to call and leave us a voicemail is: 617-302-7373. We can’t wait to hear from you! Love what you heard?  * le...

Joyce Vigue-Morrissette: Caregivers Grieve Too

This month on Holding the Light, we welcome Joyce Vigue-Morrissette — a retired nurse who shares what grief looks like from the caregiver’s side of child loss. Joyce called into our Listener Line after hearing Holly Caron's episode "Grief Has No Timeline" and the story of her daughter Heather, who died from a brain tumor. Joyce was Heather's nurse. This episode reminds us that it's not just families who carry grief. Joyce references the podcast episode with Holly Caron. We invite you to listen to that episode here:  Grief Has No Timeline https://www.buzzsprout.com/1914805/episodes/18567861 What did you think? Share your feedback in a text message. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1914805/fan_mail/new] Holding the Light is an original, monthly podcast  created and hosted by Monica and Colby Charette, edited and produced by Monica Charette, with support from Julia Vigue and Sophia Speeckaert.  EMAIL US [http://holdingthelightpodcast@gmail.com/]  (shineoncass@gmail.com) with questions, comments, or a request to join us as a guest. We also welcome you to visit us at ShineOnCass [http://www.shineoncass.org/]  (www.shineoncass.org) where our family continues to Shine the Light of Cassidy. Our podcast’s theme music is  As Long As You Love (Scarlet Wings) written and sung by Cindy Bullens, from the album Somewhere Between Heaven and Earth produced by Blue Lobster Records (1999).  Available on CD or download at www.cidnybullens.com [http://www.cidnybullens.com/]. Mention Holding the Light Podcast and receive a signed copy! We want to hear from YOU. Leave us a voicemail! If there is something you’ve learned in your grief journey that might be helpful for others, we invite you to  leave us a message. We will listen to every one. Some might even be used in a future  episode. You can also let us know what you think of our podcast, suggest a topic, or request to be a guest. The number to call and leave us a voicemail is: 617-302-7373. We can’t wait to hear from you! Love what you heard?  * le...

Jessica Ashe: When Grief Finds Its Voice

We are joined this month by a fellow bereaved mother who shares how losing her son five years ago reshaped her life, and led her to advocate for change. She is also the current United States of America Mrs. Maine—someone who chose to carry her grief into the public eye, not for attention, but for impact. Learn how she is advocating for better workplace bereavement leave policies and hear why Jessica believes "there is always hope on the darkest days." This is what happens when a bereaved Mom decides to turn grief into purpose.  If you’d like to have Jessica speak to your organizational leadership about workplace bereavement support, you can contact her at jmashe83@gmail.com. To follow Jessica's USOA Mrs. Pageant Journey: unitedstatesofamericapageants.com What did you think? Share your feedback in a text message. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1914805/fan_mail/new] Holding the Light is an original, monthly podcast  created and hosted by Monica and Colby Charette, edited and produced by Monica Charette, with support from Julia Vigue and Sophia Speeckaert.  EMAIL US [http://holdingthelightpodcast@gmail.com/]  (shineoncass@gmail.com) with questions, comments, or a request to join us as a guest. We also welcome you to visit us at ShineOnCass [http://www.shineoncass.org/]  (www.shineoncass.org) where our family continues to Shine the Light of Cassidy. Our podcast’s theme music is  As Long As You Love (Scarlet Wings) written and sung by Cindy Bullens, from the album Somewhere Between Heaven and Earth produced by Blue Lobster Records (1999).  Available on CD or download at www.cidnybullens.com [http://www.cidnybullens.com/]. Mention Holding the Light Podcast and receive a signed copy! We want to hear from YOU. Leave us a voicemail! If there is something you’ve learned in your grief journey that might be helpful for others, we invite you to  leave us a message. We will listen to every one. Some might even be used in a future  episode. You can also let us know what you think of our podcast, suggest a topic, or request to be a guest. The number to call and leave us a voicemail is: 617-302-7373. We can’t wait to hear from you! Love what you heard?  * le...

Holly Caron: Grief Has No Timeline

For any parent listening to this podcast who worries that time hasn’t ‘fixed’ their grief—this conversation is proof that there is no timeline we need to meet.  Eighteen years after losing her daughter Heather to brain cancer, Holly Caron shows us what enduring love looks like—quiet, honest, and deeply present. This conversation affirms what so many families live but rarely hear acknowledged: Grief has no expiration date. Love does not fade with time—and neither does the bond between a mother and her child. Resources cited in this podcast: Hospice Volunteers of Waterville Area: https://www.hvwa.org/ The Center for Grieving Children: https://www.cgcmaine.org/ What did you think? Share your feedback in a text message. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1914805/fan_mail/new] Holding the Light is an original, monthly podcast  created and hosted by Monica and Colby Charette, edited and produced by Monica Charette, with support from Julia Vigue and Sophia Speeckaert.  EMAIL US [http://holdingthelightpodcast@gmail.com/]  (shineoncass@gmail.com) with questions, comments, or a request to join us as a guest. We also welcome you to visit us at ShineOnCass [http://www.shineoncass.org/]  (www.shineoncass.org) where our family continues to Shine the Light of Cassidy. Our podcast’s theme music is  As Long As You Love (Scarlet Wings) written and sung by Cindy Bullens, from the album Somewhere Between Heaven and Earth produced by Blue Lobster Records (1999).  Available on CD or download at www.cidnybullens.com [http://www.cidnybullens.com/]. Mention Holding the Light Podcast and receive a signed copy! We want to hear from YOU. Leave us a voicemail! If there is something you’ve learned in your grief journey that might be helpful for others, we invite you to  leave us a message. We will listen to every one. Some might even be used in a future  episode. You can also let us know what you think of our podcast, suggest a topic, or request to be a guest. The number to call and leave us a voicemail is: 617-302-7373. We can’t wait to hear from you! Love what you heard?  * le...

Zorimar Bentancourt: Murder Can't Silence A Mother's Love

This episode honors the enduring bond that even murder cannot break. We sit down with Zorimar Betancourt, whose world shattered when her son Stefano was carjacked and murdered while she drove behind him, trying desperately to help him on the phone. This conversation is raw and real, but it's filled with grace, a reminder that ever when violence steals life, it can't silence a mother's love. Learn how Zorimar tirelessly advocates for organ donation in Puerto Rico, and has made it her mission to help other parents navigate grief during trauma -- all in honor of her son, Stefano.  The Stefano Steenbakkers Bentancourt Foundation: https://www.fundacionstefano.org/ To reach our guest Zorimar Bentancourt:  100 Av. San Patricio, Guaynabo Puerto Rico, 00968 1-787-607-4990      Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teamstefanopr/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamStefanoPR Referenced resources in this episode: "Finding Meaning" by David Kessler: https://grief.com/ Dougy Center, The National Grief Center for Children & Families, Portland, OR:  https://www.dougy.org/ A Second Chance Organ Donation: https://www.asecondchanceproject.org/ Life Net Health: https://www.lifenethealth.org/ What did you think? Share your feedback in a text message. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1914805/fan_mail/new] Holding the Light is an original, monthly podcast  created and hosted by Monica and Colby Charette, edited and produced by Monica Charette, with support from Julia Vigue and Sophia Speeckaert.  EMAIL US [http://holdingthelightpodcast@gmail.com/]  (shineoncass@gmail.com) with questions, comments, or a request to join us as a guest. We also welcome you to visit us at ShineOnCass [http://www.shineoncass.org/]  (www.shineoncass.org) where our family continues to Shine the Light of Cassidy. Our podcast’s theme music is  As Long As You Love (Scarlet Wings) written and sung by Cindy Bullens, from the album Somewhere Between Heaven and Earth produced by Blue Lobster Records (1999).  Available on CD or download at www.cidnybullens.com [http://www.cidnybullens.com/]. Mention Holding the Light Podcast and receive a signed copy! We want to hear from YOU. Leave us a voicemail! If there is something you’ve learned in your grief journey that might be helpful for others, we invite you to  leave us a message. We will listen to every one. Some might even be used in a future  episode. You can also let us know what you think of our podcast, suggest a topic, or request to be a guest. The number to call and leave us a voicemail is: 617-302-7373. We can’t wait to hear from you! Love what you heard?  * le...