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Losing a Child: Always Andy's Mom

As a pediatrician, married mom of three biological children and one foster son, my life was busy, rushing off to my office four days a week, seeing patients for three and working as a medical director of a local physician organization for one. I balanced this with rushing off to shuttle my kids to after sports and other after school activities. All of this changed one day in August of 2018 when my 14 year old son, Andy, was killed in a car accident. I felt like my life was over, and in some ways it was over, and a new life was forced to begin in its place. 

Grief is seldom discussed openly in our culture, and the death of a child makes people feel even more uncomfortable. On this blog and podcast, ‘Losing a Child: Always Andy’s Mom’, the topic is approached openly and honestly, speaking to people who have lost loved ones and experts who help care for them. Whether you are a parent experiencing loss or someone who wants to support another going through this tragedy, this blog and podcast strives to offer hope and help.

Jan 27, 2022

Shortly after her son Ray died in 2001, Darla's neighbor, Kay, walked up to Darla's front step. Kay told Darla that she recognized Darla's pain because she, too, had lost her son at the age of 10. When Darla asked her how long ago her son had died, Kay's answer stuck with her forever. Kay said, "1968. Yesterday. An...


Jan 20, 2022

Today's guest, Karen, says that in today's society, we all suffer from a lack of 'loss intelligence'. We are taught so many things in our lives, both intellectually and emotionally. We are taught how to love others and even how to love ourselves. One thing that is often ignored, however, is how to handle loss in our...


Jan 13, 2022

I have a confession to make. I have been lying to you all for almost two and a half years now. In my defense, I did not know that I was lying so I guess maybe technically, it is not a lie, but I do need to apologize regardless. I have said from the very first Always Andy's Mom podcast episode that when I looked for a...


Jan 6, 2022

Courageous. Brave. Strong. These are words that people often use to describe those of us who are bereaved parents. 'You're so strong! I could never do what you are able to do!' Statements like this actually irritate me somewhat. I am not courageous or brave or strong. I am weak and I want and need help from others every...