In this powerful and heartfelt episode, Laura welcomes Lisa Espinoza to share the deeply personal story of losing her 25-year-old son, Chandler, after he was struck by a car and spent 18 days in the ICU before passing away on January 1st. Lisa opens up about the unique challenges of grieving during the holiday season, the lessons she’s learned from past loss, and how she’s choosing to walk through her grief with authenticity and faith.
Lisa shares how her earlier experience of losing her mother at just 18 years old shaped the way she grieved Chandler’s death—and what she did differently this time. She speaks candidly about the importance of not skipping over the pain, but also not getting stuck in it.
Laura reads a touching excerpt from Lisa’s journal, now published in her book First Brush Your Teeth: Grief and Hope in Real Time, which reflects Lisa’s resolve to trust God even in the heartbreak.
Lisa’s message is one of permission—permission to feel, to fall apart, and to rebuild in time, one small step at a time.
Author and speaker Lisa Espinoza is a trusted companion to others along their journeys of grief. In her book First, Brush Your Teeth: Grief and Hope in Real Time, Lisa shares with raw honesty the story of losing her youngest son Chandler, reminding us that hope and joy are possible, even after the greatest heartache and loss.
What They Talk About:
- What “grieving the wrong way” looked like for Lisa after her mom’s death
- How she is choosing a healthier, more present grief journey with Chandler
- The role of faith and God’s presence—even in the blank spaces
- Her God and Moments Gratitude Journal and why it matters now more than ever
- How to hold both joy and sorrow at the same time
Links Mentioned in this episode:
Connect with Lisa and learn more at LisaEspinoza.com
Don’t forget to give the podcast a rating and review to help other pareavors find the same hope you have found.
Birthdays:
Charlie Rhodes was born on July 10 and left us at age 9.
Rachel Corn was born on July 10 and left us at age 22.
Eric Breslau was born on July 11 and left us at age 25.
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.
The special song written for our children’s birthdays I Remember Well can be heard here.
Remember to Hold On Pain Eases; there is HOPE!
To have Laura come and minister at your event, 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.
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