Claim OwnershipWhile We're Waiting® - Hope After Child Loss
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This is a podcast FOR bereaved parents BY bereaved parents. Join your host, Jill Sullivan, as she talks with parents who have lost children of all ages to all types of circumstances. This is a podcast of stories ... stories of devastating loss and grief and heartbreak and struggle ... and stories of hope and healing and faith, and yes, even joy. Underlying every conversation will be the hope we have in Jesus Christ, which makes it possible to not just survive the loss of a child, but to live well while we're waiting to see them again in Heaven one day. Visit our website at www.WhileWereWaiting.org for more information about our nonprofit ministry to bereaved parents.
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“Even in the halls of the hospital, God showed me I was not alone.” I'm excited today to introduce you to my friend Julie South. In this first half of our conversation, Julie shares the story of her daughter Bellah—a joyful, compassionate little girl whose life was marked by both laughter and serious medical challenges. Julie talks about how her daughter Makaylah’s health struggles prepared their family for medical adoption, how God led them to Bellah, and the joy Bell...
Kim Allison returns to the While We're Waiting podcast to share more of her story—this time opening up about the loss of her husband, Herb, to suicide, and how God is redeeming the broken pieces of her life. She reflects on her two babies in Heaven, Benjamin and Jeremiah, the vibrant life of her son Timothy, who went to Heaven in 2021, the deep valleys of grief she has walked through, and the tools that have helped her trade sorrow for peace. This tender, yet hope-filled conversation po...
"The cradle is a temporary comfort—but the eternal comfort comes from the hope of the gospel.” ~Ashley Opliger In this second half of my conversation with Ashley Opliger, she takes us back to the day of Bridget’s birth and describes the tender moments she and her family shared with their tiny daughter, who weighed just 13 ounces. Ashley shares how her mother’s handmade cradle gave Bridget dignity and allowed their family precious time to hold, cherish, and photograph her. What began as ...
“Lament is slowing down to sit in the sadness and bring it to God.” ~Ashley Opliger The importance of lament is just one of the topics I discussed with Ashley Opliger on the podcast this week. Ashley is a wife, mom, author, speaker, and the founder of Bridget’s Cradles, a nonprofit ministry she started in memory of her daughter, Bridget. In this first half of our conversation, Ashley shares her daughter Bridget’s story—the gift of her pregnancy, the joy of preparing for her ...
In this second half of our conversation, Kelly opens her heart about the unique challenges of losing a child to suicide and the long road of learning to live with deep grief. She reflects on the endless “what if” questions, the weight of not knowing, and the disorientation that comes with walking through such profound loss. Kelly also shares about the “waypoints” that marked her first year of grief—things like unknowing, providence, compassion, God’s presence, gratitude, and even disbelief. E...
Kelly Uribe joins me today to share the story of her son Ernesto—a vibrant, adventurous, and deeply loved young man. She describes his big personality, his penchant for "people gathering", and the artistic eye that set him apart. She also shares about the spring when everything began to change, leading their family into a long and arduous journey through the mental health care system, and ultimately to Ernesto's death by suicide in the fall of 2022. With great transparency, Kelly recounts the...
In last week’s conversation with Chad and Ronni Fellers (listen HERE), we heard the story of their son Paxton—his adoption, his joy-filled spirit, and the day their lives changed forever. We also heard how grief has forced them to wrestle deeply with their faith and the goodness of God in the wake of profound loss. In today’s episode, part two of our conversation, we focus on something many grieving hearts struggle to understand: lament. Chad and Ronni speak honestly about what it means to br...
We’re beginning a two-part series today with Chad and Ronni Fellers, who invite us into their story and help us understand what it means to grieve with both faith and honesty. In today’s episode, Chad and Ronni share about their son Paxton, a young man his dad describes as “all gas, no brakes”—his adoption story, his bold and fearless personality, and the morning that marked the beginning of a life-altering journey. They talk about the six weeks spent in the hospital, the thousands of p...
As bereaved parents, one of the most pressing questions we grapple with is this: How do I help my surviving children? We want to support them well, but sometimes we’re met with silence or withdrawal. It can feel like we’re walking blind through their grief. That’s why I’m so honored—and genuinely excited—to share this episode with you today. In this important conversation, I’m joined by Bobby and Gabby, a father-in-law and daughter-in-law who have each experienced the loss of not just one, bu...
I'm so pleased today to be joined by Clarissa Moll—an award-winning writer, podcaster, and author of the bestselling book Beyond the Darkness: A Gentle Guide for Living with Grief and Thriving After Loss. While Clarissa is not a grieving parent, I invited her to the show because of the practical insights she offers about parenting grieving children. In this episode, she shares her personal journey as a widow and how she’s found hope and healing through faith, community, and creati...
In this second half of my conversation with Katy Bone, we explore how grief has not only reshaped her life, but also refined her faith and revealed a deeper sense of purpose. Nearly six years after her son Barrett went to heaven, Katy reflects on the ways his short life continues to make an impact. Katy shares how her grief has evolved over time—from the early days of guilt and resistance to joy, to a place of acceptance where sorrow and hope coexist. She speaks candidly about her struggle wi...
In today's episode, I’m joined by my new friend Katy Bone, a wife and mother whose story is marked by both profound loss and enduring hope. In this first part of our conversation, Katy shares the early chapters of her motherhood journey—beginning with the heartbreaking miscarriage of her first son, whom she affectionately nicknamed “Little Bit.” She speaks about the grief that followed, the anxiety of pregnancy after loss, and the joy of welcoming her daughter Poppy. Katy then invites us into...
Welcome back to the second half of my conversation with Greg and Cathy Buffkin. In today's episode, the Buffkins speak directly to the grieving parent—especially the one who has lost a child to suicide and is wondering how to take the next breath, let alone the next step. With transparency and tenderness, they offer hard-won wisdom from their own journey, sharing what sustained them through the darkest days and how God’s presence, along with the support of others, helped carry them forward. T...
Greg and Cathy Buffkin join me on the podcast today to share the story of their son Ryan—a funny and tenderhearted young man who brought joy and laughter to everyone around him. As we get to know Ryan through their memories, we also learn about the hidden struggles he carried and the heartbreaking loss they experienced when he died by suicide in the fall of 2015. With honesty and grace, Greg and Cathy open up about the complicated grief that comes with suicide loss, including the misconceptio...
Rachel Wojo is my guest once again, and today we shift from her story of parenting her daughter Taylor through a terminal illness to the deeper spiritual lessons that followed her death—lessons about grief, surrender, and the hard, holy work of prayer when God’s answer is “no.” Rachel shares the story behind her latest book, Desperate Prayers, and talks honestly about wrestling with God, receiving painful judgment from others, and redefining what healing really means. We also explore how pray...
In this first half of our two-part conversation, author and speaker Rachel Wojo shares her journey with her daughter Taylor, who was diagnosed with a rare degenerative condition. Rachel opens up about the challenges and the joys of parenting a special needs child, walking through divorce and disappointment, and holding onto her faith as Taylor's health declined, ultimately leading to her homegoing at the age of 22 in 2019. Rachel is the author of Desperate Prayers and a multitude...
In this second half of our two-part conversation, Austin DeArmond returns to the mic to continue exploring some of the most common myths and misunderstandings people have about heaven—especially those that surface in grief and longing after child loss. Austin brings deep scriptural knowledge and a tender heart shaped by personal experience as a bereaved dad himself. Together, we dive into thought-provoking questions like: Do our loved ones in heaven know what’s happening on earth?Will our chi...
My friend, Austin DeArmond, returns to the podcast today to explore some of the most common myths and misconceptions people have about Heaven. As a bereaved Dad, Bible translation consultant, and faithful follower of Christ, Austin brings both personal insight and biblical depth to this important discussion. We talk about questions many of us have wrestled with: Will Heaven be boring? Do we become angels? Will we recognize our loved ones? Is there time in Heaven? What happens to us when we di...
As we continue our conversation from the previous episode, Josh and Nicole Kingsbury open up about how they’ve walked through grief as a couple after the loss of their daughter, Amber, to suicide in 2021. They share the early commitment they made to protect their marriage amidst the pain and the ways they’ve learned to communicate through their differing grief styles. We also discuss the "before and after" of child loss, hear some of their favorite scriptures, talk about the importance of lam...
I recently had the privilege of sitting down with Josh and Nicole Kingsbury as they shared the beautiful and heartbreaking story of their daughter Amber. A vibrant, creative, and compassionate young girl who loved Jesus, Amber touched the lives of everyone around her. Josh and Nicole reflect on her love for art, her deep bond with her brother, and her passion for helping others. They also discuss the subtle changes they noticed as Amber entered her teenage years — changes that were very typic...
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