Season Topic: Facing Our Fears After the Death of Our Child
This is the second episode with Laura’s guest, Pastor Lynn Breeden.
The first conference event Laura attended after Becca’s death, was the only one Lynn has ever hosted for grieving moms (even though Lynn’s son died over 30 years ago, and she has had her own ministry to grieving moms for many years). This was when Laura first realized what a relief it was to be able to take off her mask and both cry and laugh with others who got it, and she didn’t have to apologize or feel guilty for it.
Two of the reasons discussed by Laura and Lynn for being afraid to enjoy life again are
- We believe our sorrow is what connects us to our child.
- We are afraid we will forget them (which is impossible to do).
They also talk about
- The guilt many parents have at laughing or feeling happy
- How important it is to allow your perspective to change on this journey
- Specific thoughts a grieving parent can start to change as time goes on
- Connecting to other parents who have been where you are in the darkness and are now in the light and can infuse hope into your life
- How the amputation of Laura’s daughter’s leg is a great example of how we can still learn to live a fulfilled life
It is important to get to the place where the connection with our child is not the pain of their death, but the warmth of the wonderful memories of his or her life. And Laura and Lynn are full of encouragement that it can be done, eventually.
Lynn Breeden’s life was forever changed on October of 1987, 
when her son Joel Brian died of cancer at the age of five. After coming to terms with this loss, her greatest desire was to help other moms through their own loss, so they do not have to grieve alone. Lynn founded Mourning to Dancing, which is a non-denominational ministry, with the sole mission to offer comfort, hope, and encouragement to mothers who have suffered the loss of a child. She also currently serves as the Pastor for Bremen United Methodist Church in Bremen, Indiana.
Birthdays
If you would like your child mentioned on the podcast the week of his or her birthday, click here to fill out the short form with the needed information.
This week we celebrate:
Joey Figueroa was born on July 23 and is forever 39
Claire Rebecca was born on July 27, and is forever 5
Dayne Sturm was born on July 29 and is forever 21
The special song I wrote for our children’s birthdays I Remember Well can be heard here. (It is the song that plays in the background of the birthday segment.)
Links referred to in this podcast episode:
Click here for information on any current GPS Hope retreats.
Events: GPS Hope web page calendar or GPS Hope Facebook event page
To contact Pastor Lynn Breeden, click here.
Mourning to Dancing on Facebook.
Partner with GPS Hope to support grieving parents around the nation
And please remember to Hold On Pain Eases.
There is HOPE.
You are safe here. No masks needed…
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 judgement in where you are in this journey, including if you are struggling in your relationship with God or your faith has been completely shattered.
To have Laura come and speak or sing at your event, contact us at office@gpshope.org.
I remember the first time I laughed after Dominic passed. I felt guilty. My thoughts were why am I laughing when he can’t be here to enjoy life and laugh. It’s not fair that I’m here and he isn’t. And sometimes I still feel like that. I also remember when he first passed and I kept praying and asking God to take me that I found myself wishing I had the courage to do it myself. Wishing I had the courage to jump off the Sydney Lanier bridge.
Our grief is so painful, we can’t imagine a life without our child, plus when we torture ourselves with guilt and all the “what ifs”. So glad you didn’t act on it and are still here!!!!