Life's Curveballs: Sudden Loss & Finding Strength in the Face of Grief

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In this episode, we explore the unimaginable loss of a spouse — and the strength it takes to navigate grief, raise children, and rebuild life after tragedy.

My dear friend Anne-Marie shares her incredible story of resilience after losing her husband, Alexander, in a sudden ski accident. Left with two children (ages 12 and 16) and an unfinished home her husband had been building, she faced emotional devastation and overwhelming practical challenges.

✨ Together we talk about:

How she supported her children through grief, including sending her son to Comfort Zone Camp, a life-changing experience that helped him step back from the brink of suicide.

The importance of grief counseling for kids and teens, even when they resist.

How she stayed connected to Alexander’s memory, honored his wishes, and continued talking openly about him at home.

The beautiful, unexpected connections formed through Alexander’s organ donations, including a recipient who developed a sudden passion for home remodeling after receiving Alexander’s liver.

Anne-Marie also shares:

Why she believes grief isn’t linear — and doesn’t actually diminish over time. Instead, we build the muscles to carry it.

The power of letting yourself fully feel the feelings, even if it means sobbing over sympathy cards with your morning coffee.

How practical help from friends (food, handling the memorial, helping with her unfinished home) and corporate support (an unexpected three-year leave from her employer, IBM) gave her the space to process and heal.

🌱 Key grief resources we discussed:

Comfort Zone Camp (comfortzonecamp.org): a free grief camp for kids ages 5–18.

The Widowed Mom Podcast by Krista St. Germain — a supportive community & powerful tools for navigating widowhood.

Elizabeth Kübler-Ross's Five Stages of Grief, an insightful framework (even if grief is rarely that linear).

💛 Whether you’re a widow, facing a sudden loss, trying to support grieving children, or simply looking for stories of human resilience — this conversation will remind you you’re not alone.

Thank you for tuning in! I truly appreciate every one of you, whether you’re here for the first time or have been with me from the start.

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