Holding the Light

The holidays are here, and for those grieving the loss of someone they love, it can be so challenging. Our guest not only understands this as a grief support facilitator, but also as a widow, who lost her husband in her 20s, while raising their 3-year-old daughter. Lots to share in this special episode, including suggestions and resources to help your grieving hearts, and ways you can support bereaved friends and family this holiday season.  If you or someone you love is struggling, there is help by dialing the National Suicide and Crisis Hotline at 988.  Sarah Kilch Gaffney's website can be found at https://www.sarahkilchgaffney.com For more information about Camp Ray of Hope: https://www.sarahkilchgaffney.com/news/camp-ray-of-hope-2024 The ShineOnCass Blue Christmas Ceremony will be held Saturday, Dec. 21st at 4pm at the Oakland Gazebo. https://www.shineoncass.org/blue-christmas-ceremony.html To have your loved one's name read aloud and receive a blue light, submit here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeAZRPy4OKCbzPPx5F1TOe0A7Ss1k_UoZEEu9bFhDcvnelIow/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0 For local bereavement support groups offered through Hospice Volunteers Waterville Area: https://www.hvwa.org/ What did you think? Share your feedback in a text message. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1914805/open_sms] 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! If you appreciate our grief podcast and would like the opportunity to support what we are doing to give space for families to share their grief stories, you can make a listener's gift. Your kind support will help fund the host site, editing, and production. You can Venmo @shineoncass noting Holding The Light Podcast, or Email us at holdingthelightpodcast@gmail.com. Love what you heard? * leave us a review on Apple P... [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/holding-the-light/id1606616644]

In 2013 Samantha Banerjee was pregnant with her first child, she lovingly named, Alana. Nearing the end of a textbook pregnancy and just days away from meeting her baby girl, the unthinkable happened. Alana died from stillbirth. And thus began Samantha’s empowering grief journey that has captured national attention through tireless advocacy for stillbirth awareness and prevention.  Samantha, who lives in New York with her husband and two healthy children, is nationally-renowned within the loss community for her candid writing on grief and has been featured in The Washington Post, TODAY, ProPublica, and ABC News.  To learn more about Samantha's advocacy work with PUSH for Empowered Pregnancy, visit pushpregnancy.org. What did you think? Share your feedback in a text message. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1914805/open_sms] 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! If you appreciate our grief podcast and would like the opportunity to support what we are doing to give space for families to share their grief stories, you can make a listener's gift. Your kind support will help fund the host site, editing, and production. You can Venmo @shineoncass noting Holding The Light Podcast, or Email us at holdingthelightpodcast@gmail.com. Love what you heard? * leave us a review on Apple P... [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/holding-the-light/id1606616644]

October 11, 2024 marks 10 long years since Cassidy died. She would be 27 this year. I never thought I’d still be here, but here I am. Not only have I survived, but I have learned to live again, just differently. I’m living WITH my grief. This episode is a personal reflection on my journey. I’m here to share 10 things I have learned about grief in 10 years, including the wealth of knowledge I have gained from bearing witness to other parents’ grief in this podcast. Thank you for listening. What did you think? Share your feedback in a text message. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1914805/open_sms] 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! If you appreciate our grief podcast and would like the opportunity to support what we are doing to give space for families to share their grief stories, you can make a listener's gift. Your kind support will help fund the host site, editing, and production. You can Venmo @shineoncass noting Holding The Light Podcast, or Email us at holdingthelightpodcast@gmail.com. Love what you heard? * leave us a review on Apple P... [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/holding-the-light/id1606616644]

**This conversation includes references to violence, including experiences of a mass shooting, traumatic grief, and other details unsuitable for young children. This recording is prohibited from being copied or reproduced without permission.*** Losing a loved one to murder creates unique and complicated grief like no other. Vicki Roy is here to talk about her traumatic bereavement following Maine’s worst Mass Shooting that claimed the life of her brother Michael Deslauriers. She bravely shares how her grief unfolded amidst the public chaos, re-traumatization of the ongoing investigation, and the unexpected feelings of losing her only brother, to something else. We honor Mike, his family, and the many people affected by this tragedy who are now navigating their personal grief journeys. What did you think? Share your feedback in a text message. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1914805/open_sms] 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! If you appreciate our grief podcast and would like the opportunity to support what we are doing to give space for families to share their grief stories, you can make a listener's gift. Your kind support will help fund the host site, editing, and production. You can Venmo @shineoncass noting Holding The Light Podcast, or Email us at holdingthelightpodcast@gmail.com. Love what you heard? * leave us a review on Apple P... [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/holding-the-light/id1606616644]

There is something to be said about a mother’s intuition. Sandy Fisher knew something was wrong the day her 18-year-old son, Scott Junior, died by suicide. He had just entered college. Now, after 18 years of grieving his loss, and even an attempted suicide herself, she is courageously sharing her experience and knowledge. Her mission? To help students, parents, friends, and educators recognize the warning signs, ask the right questions, and seek help.  Dial 988: Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Suicide prevention and educational resources shared in this podcast: * Maine Suicide Prevention: NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): namimaine.org * American Foundation of Suicide Prevention: afsp.org * Suicide Prevention/Education in Maine Schools: namimaine.org/suicide-prevention/suicide-prevention-in-schools What did you think? Share your feedback in a text message. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1914805/open_sms] 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! If you appreciate our grief podcast and would like the opportunity to support what we are doing to give space for families to share their grief stories, you can make a listener's gift. Your kind support will help fund the host site, editing, and production. You can Venmo @shineoncass noting Holding The Light Podcast, or Email us at holdingthelightpodcast@gmail.com. Love what you heard? * leave us a review on Apple P... [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/holding-the-light/id1606616644]