If you have been frustrated because you are not following the “five stages of grief”, you are not alone. What most people do not realize is that these five stages are to be applied to those who have received the news they have a terminal illness. They are NOT for someone who is grieving the death of a loved one.
Laura’s guest, Mitch Carmody, is a seasoned griever with over thirty years of experience after the death of his twin sister and her two children, as well as his young son shortly after. In part two of The Seasons of the Heart after Child Loss, we will hear about the last three seasons, as well as learn about the acronym S.T.A.I.R.S, which is a much truer representation of what our grief is like.
Mitch lost his 9-year-old son over thirty years ago. 
Since that time, he has done more than most to help others who are grieving deep loss, including speaking around the nation, being a grief artist, interpretive sign language, writing a book, and more. Mitch moved with his wife from Minnesota to Wisconsin as part of his recent retirement.
(Note: The views and opinions of our guests outside of this podcast may not be in agreement with GPS Hope.)
Links Mentioned in this episode:
Connect with Mitch: heartlightstudios.net.
Find out more about joining Dave and Laura on The Grief Cruise.
Birthdays:
Aaron Paige was born on June 6 and is forever 21.
Fill out the short form to have your child’s birthday shared with our listeners.
The special song “I Remember Well“, which was written by Laura for our children’s birthdays, can be heard on your favorite music app. To hear samples of Laura’s other songs, click here.
Remember to Hold On Pain Eases; there is HOPE!
Would you like to have Laura come and speak to your group? Contact us at office@gpshope.org.
Grieving Parents Sharing Hope (GPS Hope) is here to walk with parents through the darkness of child-loss, guiding them to a place of hope, light and purpose.
It is a safe place for anyone who has lost a child from this earth. There is no shame or judgment in where you are in this journey, including if you are struggling in your relationship with God or your faith has been completely shattered.
is no stranger to adversity. After losing a husband to suicide and her son in a drunk driving crash, she wanted to give up. She battled depression and discouragement, loneliness and pain, yet she persevered and ultimately found hope. Now Beverly seeks to share that hope with others. She speaks to churches, schools, businesses, and military events, showing strength and courage in a way that offers hope to those listening. She makes it her mission to help others rediscover their identity and purpose after loss and trauma.
in the Airforce as an Aircrew Life Support Equipment Specialist. She is the wife of a military husband, the mother of Spc Michael Rodriguez, as well as three other children, and is the grandmother of four beautiful grandchildren. Lorie started both the Dogwood Chapter of the American Gold Star Mothers in Sanford, North Carolina, and Wreaths Across America at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery in Spring Lake. She was also instrumental in naming part of NC Hwy 24 “Gold Star Memorial Highway”. Lorie has also volunteered with and managed the Fort Bragg Fisher House and has worked closely with the Warrior Transition Battalion for wounded soldiers at Fort Bragg. She spends her time helping local veteran groups and is very active in her church.
twenty-one grandchildren so far. She was a stay-at-home while mom raising her family. Church was first in the lives of her children and teaching them about the Lord Jesus Christ was most important. After the death of her son, due to military PTSD, Amy started making and selling aprons to raise awareness of PTSD (which can be found on Facebook as Aprons for PTSD Awareness) and to get resources for military veterans. When her husband retires later this year, they plan to travel around the country to visit their children and grandchildren who are scattered around the US.
Brenton forever 24, Charlie and Cheyenne. He also has two grandsons and twin granddaughters born at only 28 weeks in April. Jeff and his wife, Stacie, recently moved to their dream home in north-central Texas with lots of acreage and a barn for animals. He retired from the trucking industry at the beginning of this year to take care of their little farm and spend time with his family. 
father to seven children and a Papa to one. Two red-headed young ones still live at home, keeping he and his wife, Courtney, very busy. Curtis works as a receiving associate at Mitsubishi Chemical. Along with juggling work and home, Curtis is also pursuing his Biblical Studies degree, which he will receive from Liberty University in 2 more semesters. As a pareavor who is four years into this journey, Curtis enjoys nothing more than spending every available moment with his family.
