As One Parent To Another, What’s Your Story?

Sharing our stories is one way we keep memories of our loved ones alive. As we tell our stories, we remember not only the hard parts, like their deaths but the joys of their life. I have grown to appreciate those opportunities, just like I enjoy opportunities to tell you about my girls, Robin and Sara.

Earlier this year, I had the chance to share my story with child loss(s) as part of a fantastic ministry called “While We’re Waiting.” I will be forever grateful to Brad and Jill Persenaire Sullivan and Janice and Larry Brown for the way they walk beside bereaved parents on their retreats.

In part one of a two-part podcast, I share my story of losing David Michael, my first son, at 20 weeks of pregnancy and the lessons I learned that enabled me to keep moving forward after the unexpected loss of my 16-year-old son, Bryan Marcus. I also share my one-year plan for grief.

191 | Can't Change That (Part One) with Julie Thomas – While We're Waiting® – Hope After Child Loss

Julie Thomas is my guest on the podcast today. Julie is married to Marcus and has a degree in secondary education from Baylor University. She has served for over 25 years at Real Options, a pregnancy clinic in Allen, Texas. Her passion is equipping volunteers to talk with women dealing with an unplanned pregnancy. She also produces an outstanding blog, titled “Can’t Change That”, which explores issues that are common to bereaved parents. In the year 2000, Julie’s son David Michael was stillborn, giving her a unique understanding of the suffering and agony post-abortive moms often feel after the death of their babies. Then in 2017, Julie experienced another devastating loss when her 16-year-old son Bryan died participating in an activity known as the “Choking Game”. According to a 2018 article in Time Magazine, 82 American children between the ages of 6 and 19 died after playing the Choking Game between the mid-90s and the mid-2000s, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most of them were boys between the ages of 11 and 16, according to a 2008 CDC report citing news stories and families’ own accounts. Julie joins me to share the stories of David and Bryan and I am pleased to give you the opportunity to meet her today! Links related to this episode:Julie's Blog – Can't Change ThatHope DawningReal Options Pregnancy Crisis CenterReBuild Grief Support in Richardson, Texas – Email: [email protected] Grief Support in Chicago, IllinoisTime Magazine article about the Choking GameG.A.S.P. – Games Adolescents Shouldn't PlayBooks recommended in this episode:Colors of Goodbye by September VaudreyA Grace Disguised by Jerry SittserI would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message!** IMPORTANT** – All views expressed by guests on this podcast are theirs alone, and may not represent the Statement of Faith and Statement of Beliefs of the While We're Waiting ministry. We'd love for you to connect with us here at While We're Waiting! Click HERE to visit our website and learn about our free While We're Waiting Weekends for bereaved parentsClick HERE to learn more about our network of While We're Waiting support groups all across the country. Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channelClick HERE to follow our public Facebook pageClick HERE to follow us on Instagram Click HERE to follow us on Twitter Click HERE to make a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministryContact Jill by email at: [email protected]

191 | Can't Change That (Part One) with Julie Thomas – While We're Waiting® – Hope After Child Loss

Share this:

Like this: