Hope After Child & Sibling Loss/the empty chair endeavor

The phone call changes everything. One minute you’re living a normal week, and the next you’re racing toward tests, scans, and words like “concerning” and “brain tumor.” I’m joined by Billy and Julie Melton to remember their daughter Juliana, a newlywed with a contagious laugh, a love for people, and a faith that stayed steady through a long, painful 16-month cancer fight that ended on Valentine’s Day 2018. We talk about what happens after adult child loss, when the world keeps moving but your time feels stuck. Billy and Julie describe the raw first year, the heavier second year when reality sets in, and the very real experience of grief triggers at church, at work, and in everyday places. We also dig into what actually helps grieving parents: community that shows up with practical care, the freedom to set boundaries without guilt, and the courage to let someone else hold you up when your faith and energy run thin. They share how hospice support, counseling, grief groups, and time with other bereaved parents helped them heal, and why surviving siblings need attention too. We also explore the hunger many Christians feel to understand heaven more clearly when someone you love is there. Finally, Billy and Julie explain how God redeemed their suffering into Restoring Hope, a Greensboro-area ministry offering biblical hope and a safe space for bereaved parents facing adult child loss. If this conversation helps you, share it with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review so more grieving families can find it. What’s one practical act of support that mattered most to you or someone you love? Share any comments here *** Please take a minute to leave a review on Apple Podcasts if you enjoy this podcast by clicking the link below. By doing so you help increase our visibility and discoverability for others, and we value your feedback! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hope-after-child-sibling-loss-the-empty-chair-endeavor/id1654053256 You can contact us by email at: hope@emptychairendeavor.com through our parent organization website: https://www.emptychairendeavor.com/ Our Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theemptychairendeavor If you would like to share your story on an upcoming episode, please send us an email so that we can talk with you about it. Thank you for listening!

A father checks “Find My iPhone” and realizes the unthinkable might be true. From that moment, Doug Schneider’s world changes forever. Doug joins me, Greg Buffkin, to tell the story of his daughter Micaela, a recent college graduate who landed her dream job at Warner Brothers, loved adventure, and wanted to be a light for Jesus in the entertainment industry. What follows is an honest conversation about child loss, sudden tragedy, and what grief looks like when it moves from the pulpit into your own living room. We talk about the early days after the fatal car accident that took Micaela and her friend Olivia Johnson, including shock, denial, the physical toll of sorrow, and the haunting feeling that life keeps going while you cannot. Doug also shares why “healing” can feel like betrayal, why grief can be a sign of deep love, and how Christian hope is not pretending things are fine. We spend time on biblical lament, the kind of prayer that tells God the truth while still reaching for Him. You’ll also hear practical wisdom for supporting grieving parents, especially what to say instead of the loaded question “How are you doing?” Doug names the value of community, including the ongoing friendship with Olivia’s family, and he recommends resources that helped him and his wife: Heaven by Randy Alcorn, It’s Not Supposed To Be This Way by Lysa TerKeurst, Dark Clouds Deep Mercy, and the From Pain To Purpose podcast. If you’re navigating grief, walking with bereaved parents, or searching for Christian grief support and comfort in Jesus, this conversation offers language, faith, and steady next steps. If this helped you, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more hurting people can find it. What part of Doug’s story do you want to talk about next? Share any comments here *** Please take a minute to leave a review on Apple Podcasts if you enjoy this podcast by clicking the link below. By doing so you help increase our visibility and discoverability for others, and we value your feedback! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hope-after-child-sibling-loss-the-empty-chair-endeavor/id1654053256 You can contact us by email at: hope@emptychairendeavor.com through our parent organization website: https://www.emptychairendeavor.com/ Our Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theemptychairendeavor If you would like to share your story on an upcoming episode, please send us an email so that we can talk with you about it. Thank you for listening!

Jodi Snowdon is an author, podcaster, and speaker who serves women through her podcast, Depth, and her blog, Heartbreak to Strength. In August 2022, she released her first book, Depth: Growing Through Heartbreak to Strength. Having walked through multiple heartbreaks (divorce, miscarriage, & cancer), Jodi now inspires women to grow deeper in their faith and to find hope, joy, and purpose through their unexpected storms. She lights up the most when she shares her testimony using her cracked clay pot, a visual reminder that God shines brightest through our broken places. She is raising two sons (one in college and one adulting) in Southern California where she teaches science to elementary students in the STEM Lab. Jodi would love to connect with you on her website, jodisnowdon.com or on Instagram @jodi.snowdon Share any comments here *** Please take a minute to leave a review on Apple Podcasts if you enjoy this podcast by clicking the link below. By doing so you help increase our visibility and discoverability for others, and we value your feedback! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hope-after-child-sibling-loss-the-empty-chair-endeavor/id1654053256 You can contact us by email at: hope@emptychairendeavor.com through our parent organization website: https://www.emptychairendeavor.com/ Our Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theemptychairendeavor If you would like to share your story on an upcoming episode, please send us an email so that we can talk with you about it. Thank you for listening!

In this transparent and hope-filled conversation, Carol Brown shares her journey of grief after the tragic loss of her precious 29 year old daughter Jackie, who was a dedicated teacher and a bright light in the lives of many. Carol reflects on the impact of grief on her life, the importance of community support, and the lessons she learned about faith and God through her experience. She emphasizes the need for open conversations about grief and the significance of keeping loved ones' legacies alive. Carol also discusses her involvement in grief support ministries, highlighting the importance of connection and understanding among bereaved parents. Today Carol is involved in the Our Hearts are Home Ministry letting GOD use her suffering and pain to help encourage and offer hope to other grieving parents. Share any comments here *** Please take a minute to leave a review on Apple Podcasts if you enjoy this podcast by clicking the link below. By doing so you help increase our visibility and discoverability for others, and we value your feedback! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hope-after-child-sibling-loss-the-empty-chair-endeavor/id1654053256 You can contact us by email at: hope@emptychairendeavor.com through our parent organization website: https://www.emptychairendeavor.com/ Our Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theemptychairendeavor If you would like to share your story on an upcoming episode, please send us an email so that we can talk with you about it. Thank you for listening!

On this episode, Karen McCord shares her profound experience with grief, following the loss of her daughter Carley, a well known ESPN sports reporter, in a tragic plane crash while traveling to cover the Atlanta Peach Bowl in December 2019. Karen reflects on both the personal and public aspects of her journey through grief, the impact of her daughter's life, and the haunting thoughts she sometimes experienced about outliving Carley. The discussion emphasizes the importance of sharing personal stories to connect with others who are navigating their own grief journeys. Karen also shares how GOD revealed His love, grace, and comfort in very personal ways along her grief journey. Finally, you’ll hear about Karen’s recently published book, “Only Rainbows: The Carley McCord Story”, capturing their family’s grief journey and a very tender tribute to their beloved Carley. Share any comments here *** Please take a minute to leave a review on Apple Podcasts if you enjoy this podcast by clicking the link below. By doing so you help increase our visibility and discoverability for others, and we value your feedback! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hope-after-child-sibling-loss-the-empty-chair-endeavor/id1654053256 You can contact us by email at: hope@emptychairendeavor.com through our parent organization website: https://www.emptychairendeavor.com/ Our Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theemptychairendeavor If you would like to share your story on an upcoming episode, please send us an email so that we can talk with you about it. Thank you for listening!

In this heartfelt episode, Greg Buffkin welcomes Ron Deal from FamilyLife to discuss the profound journey of grief following the loss of his precious son Conner. Ron shares his personal story of losing Connor to a sudden, tragic medical complication, emphasizing the importance of not wasting pain and using it to help others. The conversation delves into the duality of grief, represented by the metaphor of two rails: one of pain and sorrow, and the other of hope and trust in God. Ron explains how navigating between these two rails is essential for healing, and how sharing their story has been a significant part of their journey towards recovery. Throughout the discussion, Ron highlights the importance of community and support for grieving parents, sharing insights on how to create a safe space for grief, and the necessity of being selective about who enters one’s grief garden. He also touches on the value of lament in the grieving process, encouraging listeners to express their pain authentically while holding onto hope. The episode concludes with Ron talking about he and his wife’s involvement with the While We’re Waiting ministry, which provides support for parents who have lost children, and the importance of finding trusted voices in the journey of grief. Share any comments here *** Please take a minute to leave a review on Apple Podcasts if you enjoy this podcast by clicking the link below. By doing so you help increase our visibility and discoverability for others, and we value your feedback! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hope-after-child-sibling-loss-the-empty-chair-endeavor/id1654053256 You can contact us by email at: hope@emptychairendeavor.com through our parent organization website: https://www.emptychairendeavor.com/ Our Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theemptychairendeavor If you would like to share your story on an upcoming episode, please send us an email so that we can talk with you about it. Thank you for listening!

In this hope filled conversation, author and speaker Angie Ford-Green shares her journey of grief after the loss of her son, Kevin in a surfing tragedy. She reflects on the profound impact of his life and death on her identity, her marriage, and her family. Angie emphasizes the importance of community, faith, and the need to embrace grief while also finding hope and purpose in life after loss. Through her personal experiences and insights, she offers encouragement to other grieving parents, reminding them that they are not alone and that healing is possible through the power and grace of Jesus Christ. We invite you to listen! Most Recent Books: A Mother Like Me (A Story of Faith, Hope, and Love in Loss)Mothers Like Me ( Stories of Faith, Hope, and Love in Loss) Share any comments here *** Please take a minute to leave a review on Apple Podcasts if you enjoy this podcast by clicking the link below. By doing so you help increase our visibility and discoverability for others, and we value your feedback! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hope-after-child-sibling-loss-the-empty-chair-endeavor/id1654053256 You can contact us by email at: hope@emptychairendeavor.com through our parent organization website: https://www.emptychairendeavor.com/ Our Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theemptychairendeavor If you would like to share your story on an upcoming episode, please send us an email so that we can talk with you about it. Thank you for listening!

In this heartfelt conversation, Janet Boxx shares her profound journey through grief after experiencing the loss of her son through stillbirth and later, the tragic loss of two daughters in a car accident. You’ll hear us talk about how she’s continuing to navigate the messiness and complexity of grief, as well as cultural misunderstandings surrounding it, and the importance of community support. Janet emphasizes that healing is a long, often unpredictable process that doesn’t always follow standard models or stages. We also discuss the significance of lamenting and expressing true feelings to God. Ultimately, she shares her hope and contentment found in relationship with Jesus Christ, illustrating that joy can coexist with sorrow. We believe you’ll find this conversation encouraging, and Janet’s faith inspiring. Share any comments here *** Please take a minute to leave a review on Apple Podcasts if you enjoy this podcast by clicking the link below. By doing so you help increase our visibility and discoverability for others, and we value your feedback! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hope-after-child-sibling-loss-the-empty-chair-endeavor/id1654053256 You can contact us by email at: hope@emptychairendeavor.com through our parent organization website: https://www.emptychairendeavor.com/ Our Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theemptychairendeavor If you would like to share your story on an upcoming episode, please send us an email so that we can talk with you about it. Thank you for listening!

In this episode, Greg Buffkin speaks with Sam Hodges, president of Church Initiative, about GriefShare, the number one grief support program in the world, and its significance in providing support for those experiencing grief, as well as the importance of community in the healing process. They discuss Sam's journey to Church Initiative, the signs of healing in grief, and some of the resources available for grieving individuals, including a new book titled 'Is My Grief Normal?'. We hope you will find this conversation encouraging, as well as informative about a proven resource for helping those who are experiencing their own grief journey. Share any comments here *** Please take a minute to leave a review on Apple Podcasts if you enjoy this podcast by clicking the link below. By doing so you help increase our visibility and discoverability for others, and we value your feedback! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hope-after-child-sibling-loss-the-empty-chair-endeavor/id1654053256 You can contact us by email at: hope@emptychairendeavor.com through our parent organization website: https://www.emptychairendeavor.com/ Our Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theemptychairendeavor If you would like to share your story on an upcoming episode, please send us an email so that we can talk with you about it. Thank you for listening!

In this heartfelt conversation, Ashley Opliger shares her journey of grief after the stillbirth of her daughter, Bridget, and how it led to the creation of Bridget's Cradles, a ministry that provides cradles for families experiencing loss. Ashley discusses the emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects of grief, the importance of communication in relationships, and how grief evolves over time. She emphasizes the significance of honoring our children, navigating holidays, and the impact of loss on parenting. Through her experiences, Ashley offers hope and encouragement to others, highlighting the importance of remembering and talking about loss, as well as the comfort and hope found in Jesus Christ and the promise of heaven. Share any comments here *** Please take a minute to leave a review on Apple Podcasts if you enjoy this podcast by clicking the link below. By doing so you help increase our visibility and discoverability for others, and we value your feedback! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hope-after-child-sibling-loss-the-empty-chair-endeavor/id1654053256 You can contact us by email at: hope@emptychairendeavor.com through our parent organization website: https://www.emptychairendeavor.com/ Our Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theemptychairendeavor If you would like to share your story on an upcoming episode, please send us an email so that we can talk with you about it. Thank you for listening!

In this heartfelt conversation, Melanie DeSimone shares her journey of grief after the tragic loss of her son, Dominic. She discusses the profound impact of child loss on family dynamics, the importance of community support, and the lessons learned through her experience. Melanie emphasizes the need for compassion, understanding, and practical strategies for navigating grief, while also highlighting her ministry, Heartache and Hope, which aims to comfort and support other bereaved parents. Share any comments here *** Please take a minute to leave a review on Apple Podcasts if you enjoy this podcast by clicking the link below. By doing so you help increase our visibility and discoverability for others, and we value your feedback! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hope-after-child-sibling-loss-the-empty-chair-endeavor/id1654053256 You can contact us by email at: hope@emptychairendeavor.com through our parent organization website: https://www.emptychairendeavor.com/ Our Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theemptychairendeavor If you would like to share your story on an upcoming episode, please send us an email so that we can talk with you about it. Thank you for listening!

In this heartfelt conversation, Greg talks with Linda Cook about her journey of grief after losing her beautiful daughter Jocelyn in a tragic accident. Linda shares her experiences of navigating the complexities of loss, the impact of her faith, and the importance of community support. Through her story, she highlights the ongoing process of healing, the joy of remembering Jocelyn, and the legacy she continues to inspire in others. Share any comments here *** Please take a minute to leave a review on Apple Podcasts if you enjoy this podcast by clicking the link below. By doing so you help increase our visibility and discoverability for others, and we value your feedback! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hope-after-child-sibling-loss-the-empty-chair-endeavor/id1654053256 You can contact us by email at: hope@emptychairendeavor.com through our parent organization website: https://www.emptychairendeavor.com/ Our Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theemptychairendeavor If you would like to share your story on an upcoming episode, please send us an email so that we can talk with you about it. Thank you for listening!

In this heartfelt conversation, Greg talks with Kathe Wunnenberg, founder of Hope Lifters Unlimited, about her profound journey of grief and healing. Kathe shares her personal experiences with loss, including the death of her son and multiple miscarriages, and how these experiences shaped her understanding of grief and GOD’s goodness in our suffering. They discuss the importance of community support, the unique nature of grieving a child, and the role of faith in finding hope amidst pain. Kathe emphasizes the need for individuals to give themselves permission to grieve and to seek purpose in their loss, while also highlighting the significance of honoring memories and supporting siblings who are grieving. The conversation offers practical insights and encouragement for those navigating their own grief journeys, reminding listeners that they are not alone and that healing is possible. Share your thoughts or suggestions by clicking here. *** Please take a minute to leave a review on Apple Podcasts if you enjoy this podcast by clicking the link below. By doing so you help increase our visibility and discoverability for others, and we value your feedback! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hope-after-child-sibling-loss-the-empty-chair-endeavor/id1654053256 You can contact us by email at: hope@emptychairendeavor.com through our parent organization website: https://www.emptychairendeavor.com/ Our Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theemptychairendeavor If you would like to share your story on an upcoming episode, please send us an email so that we can talk with you about it. Thank you for listening!

In this heartfelt conversation, Christina Schuetz shares her profound journey of grief following the loss of her daughter, Sylvia, who battled congenital heart disease. Christina discusses the impact of this loss on her mental health, including struggles with PTSD, depression, and anxiety. She emphasizes the importance of community, faith, and open communication in navigating grief, and how these experiences have inspired her to write a book aimed at helping others through their own grief journeys. Christina's story is one of resilience, hope, and the ongoing process of healing. Share your thoughts or suggestions by clicking here. *** Please take a minute to leave a review on Apple Podcasts if you enjoy this podcast by clicking the link below. By doing so you help increase our visibility and discoverability for others, and we value your feedback! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hope-after-child-sibling-loss-the-empty-chair-endeavor/id1654053256 You can contact us by email at: hope@emptychairendeavor.com through our parent organization website: https://www.emptychairendeavor.com/ Our Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theemptychairendeavor If you would like to share your story on an upcoming episode, please send us an email so that we can talk with you about it. Thank you for listening!

In this heartfelt conversation, I talk with Felicia Cook, a mother who lost her son Corey to a fentanyl overdose. Felicia shares her journey through grief, the impact of losing a child, and how her faith has helped her navigate this unimaginable pain. She discusses the importance of community support, the complexities of mental health and substance abuse, and her desire to honor Corey by helping others facing similar struggles. Through her story, Felicia offers hope and insight into the healing process after loss. Share your thoughts or suggestions by clicking here. *** Please take a minute to leave a review on Apple Podcasts if you enjoy this podcast by clicking the link below. By doing so you help increase our visibility and discoverability for others, and we value your feedback! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hope-after-child-sibling-loss-the-empty-chair-endeavor/id1654053256 You can contact us by email at: hope@emptychairendeavor.com through our parent organization website: https://www.emptychairendeavor.com/ Our Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theemptychairendeavor If you would like to share your story on an upcoming episode, please send us an email so that we can talk with you about it. Thank you for listening!

On this episode, Cheryl Davis, host of the Time for Mom podcast, shares her story of loss as a young mom whose heart was neither equipped nor prepared to deal with the grief of child loss. Cheryl’s is a story that represents over a million others just like hers every year in the U.S. suffering the death of a child by miscarriage. All too often, we have a tendency to rank or compare grief based on our own subjective views or experiences. This is especially true in loss due to miscarriage or stillbirth, and can result in too many of these women trying to process and navigate their grief in silence because so few us understand just how real their grief really is. You’ll be encouraged as Cheryl talks about the personal impact of grief and how GOD’s faithfulness and grace began healing and restoring all that was broken. Cheryl has a heart for helping busy moms drowning in daily responsibilities with marriage, family and work, rediscover meaning, purpose and peace in the middle of it all. Most importantly, Cheryl wants to help you see yourself as GOD sees you by offering personal experiences and Biblical encouragement relating to your identity, routines and priorities on her weekly podcast, Time for Mom, which can be accessed using the link below. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/time-for-mom-devotions-self-esteem-biblical-encouragement/id1828707938 Share your thoughts or suggestions by clicking here. If you find this conversation encouraging or hopeful, we invite you to follow us on your favorite podcast platform so that each new episode will be sent to you automatically. Please rate/review us on Apple Podcasts if you appreciate our podcast. Your feedback matters because it can help us continually improve as well as help others decide if our episodes might be beneficial to them. You can contact us by email at: hope@emptychairendeavor.com through our parent organization website: https://www.emptychairendeavor.com/ Our Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theemptychairendeavor If you would like to share your story on an upcoming episode, please send us an email so that we can talk with you about it. Thank you for listening!

In this episode you’ll hear Shelly Kolwinska share her profound journey of grief following the stillbirth of her daughter, Margaret Rose. In our conversation we discuss the importance of community support for grieving parents and the unique services offered by The Child Loss Foundation. Shelly's personal story intertwines with her professional mission as Director of Child Loss@Work to help others navigate their grief, emphasizing the need for understanding and compassion in the workplace for those who have experienced child loss. Threaded throughout our conversation you’ll hear Shelly talk about GOD’s faithfulness and goodness along her grief journey and the passion He’s given her to help other grieving families. Navigating grief in the workplace is most often very difficult and lonely. You don’t want to miss this episode! https://www.childlossfoundation.org/ Share your thoughts or suggestions by clicking here. If you find this conversation encouraging or hopeful, we invite you to follow us on your favorite podcast platform so that each new episode will be sent to you automatically. Please rate/review us on Apple Podcasts if you appreciate our podcast. Your feedback matters because it can help us continually improve as well as help others decide if our episodes might be beneficial to them. You can contact us by email at: hope@emptychairendeavor.com through our parent organization website: https://www.emptychairendeavor.com/ Our Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theemptychairendeavor If you would like to share your story on an upcoming episode, please send us an email so that we can talk with you about it. Thank you for listening!

Finding anything good in grief might seem impossible for you today, and if so, you’re not alone. Grief often feels like it has taken on a life of its own, and even wants to become your new identity. How can there possibly be anything resembling gold in our grief journey? On this episode you’ll hear a conversation I recently had with Sarah Beth Gerbers about how she began to discover gold on her multiple grief journeys; yes, Sarah has experienced the loss of a precious, beautiful child five(5) times by miscarriage! By any standard, that’s more heartbreak, loss and pain than any parent should ever have to endure. Sarah talks about her struggles with the multi-pronged impact of grief with refreshing honesty and transparency. You will also hear about how GOD’s tenderness, compassion, and grace carried Sarah through the darkest moments of her life and began weaving in threads of healing and beauty along her journey. Today, Sarah is passionate about introducing other grieving parents to the hope, meaning and purpose she knows through her relationship with her Savior and friend, Jesus Christ. That passion led Sarah to author a newly published book entitled” Moonflower: Defiantly Blooming in the Face of Great Darkness”, which you’ll be hearing about in our conversation. Send us a text If you find this conversation encouraging or hopeful, we invite you to follow us on your favorite podcast platform so that each new episode will be sent to you automatically. Please rate/review us on Apple Podcasts if you appreciate our podcast. Your feedback matters because it can help us continually improve as well as help others decide if our episodes might be beneficial to them. You can contact us by email at: hope@emptychairendeavor.com through our parent organization website: https://www.emptychairendeavor.com/ Our Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theemptychairendeavor If you would like to share your story on an upcoming episode, please send us an email so that we can talk with you about it. Thank you for listening!

They are known as “the forgotten mourners.” On this episode you’ll be hearing a conversation I had with Bobby and Gabby Bisterfeldt, founders of Sibling Lifeline, as we talk about how the death of a child affects surviving children. Both have experienced the tragic loss of two siblings each. As they share their stories, you’ll learn how each tried to process their own pain and grief while attempting not to be an additional burden on their grieving parents. It’s a common dilemma most siblings face after such a loss, but often overlooked or misunderstood by others who tend to be more focused on the parents. As a result, their grief is often delayed or suppressed, but nevertheless, is just as real and has a lasting impact on their lives. Bobby and Gabby are an amazing father in law, daughter in law team who have a heart for these forgotten mourners demonstrated by providing retreats where they can get away for a weekend with others who understand their loss and discover they’re not alone on their grief journey. These retreats are Christ centered and designed to offer hope, encouragement, and support. Click the link below to find out more about Sibling Lifeline and upcoming retreat opportunities. https://siblinglifeline.org/ Send us a text If you find this conversation encouraging or hopeful, we invite you to follow us on your favorite podcast platform so that each new episode will be sent to you automatically. Please rate/review us on Apple Podcasts if you appreciate our podcast. Your feedback matters because it can help us continually improve as well as help others decide if our episodes might be beneficial to them. You can contact us by email at: hope@emptychairendeavor.com through our parent organization website: https://www.emptychairendeavor.com/ Our Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theemptychairendeavor If you would like to share your story on an upcoming episode, please send us an email so that we can talk with you about it. Thank you for listening!

A phone call on Christmas morning 2020 brought heart shattering news she never could have imagined. On this episode, Mary McNamara talks with me about how one phone call forever altered her life that day. Her beautiful 28 year old son, Zack, had died during the night alone. We talk about the questions such a sudden, unexpected tragedy leaves a parent facing and trying to process. You'll also hear Mary talk about what a caring, sensitive, and funny young man Zack was as well as some of his struggles. With courage, transparency, and grace, Mary shares her own struggles along her grief journey and how her relationship with Jesus Christ has been her source of comfort and strength. Send us a text If you find this conversation encouraging or hopeful, we invite you to follow us on your favorite podcast platform so that each new episode will be sent to you automatically. Please rate/review us on Apple Podcasts if you appreciate our podcast. Your feedback matters because it can help us continually improve as well as help others decide if our episodes might be beneficial to them. You can contact us by email at: hope@emptychairendeavor.com through our parent organization website: https://www.emptychairendeavor.com/ Our Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theemptychairendeavor If you would like to share your story on an upcoming episode, please send us an email so that we can talk with you about it. Thank you for listening!