Nurturing Words: Voices of Experience

The world of mother loss is filled with grief, a sea of emotions, confusion, pain, and sometimes hurt feelings. Whatever the cause of mother loss, it is never an easy journey. When it involves emotional absence, narcissism, and estrangement, it touches the lives of everyone nearby. Healing from the impact of mother loss looks different for each of us and starts by taking the first step of the journey. This episode of “Nurturing Words” welcomes our guest, Stacie, who is truly a “voi...

It’s almost the holiday season which means busy schedules and often lots of expectations. This season can be challenging to navigate for anyone, but especially those grieving a loss or coming to terms with estrangement/emotional abandonment from a parent. Many end up struggling with a lack of patience during this “most wonderful time of the year”. This episode is based on a blog from Mary Ellen Collins, our Founder, and looks at some of the underlying causes of impatience and ways we can reco...

Chicken Soup has long been associated with comfort and healing. Its history goes back to the 2nd century BC. Medical and other healthcare personnel have written about its benefits in multiple areas of health. It can provide social, emotional, and physical comfort while supplying supplements that promote health. This episode shares part of Danielle Ilaqua’s journey through layers of emotions as she tried to adjust to life without her mother.ResourcesPodcast Episode highlights a blog post from ...

Looking back at memories can give us a different perspective. When we are right in the center of experiences, it is hard to acknowledge educational value and silver linings. All our energy is needed to keep up with the changes. Hindsight can bring the legacy into view.This episode highlights Laura's life experiences. By recounting her life stories, she was able to see things in a different light. After finding the needed support, she embarked on a path toward healing the impact of her loss.Re...

When we experience the heartbreaking loss of a mother through death, emotional distance, or estrangement, it can be hard to figure out a path forward. The world offers many distractions or ways to drown the pain instead of processing it. However, it doesn’t have enough to offer for your mother’s loss. But there is a solution. Today’s episode looks at how we can truly find unexplainable peace through Jesus, which is much better than what the world has to offer.ResourcesPodcast Episode hi...

A motherless daughter can be defined in many different ways. Of course, some become motherless daughters when they lose their mother through death. But, others are motherless daughters through the loss of nurturing from a mother. This may happen for a variety of reasons, but one of those is narcissism. Today’s episode focuses on the story of a motherless daughter of a narcissistic mother. Her story is one of hardship and grief, but also one of healing and peace that she found in Jesus.Resourc...

As motherless daughters, we tend to focus on the struggles of being without a mother. But, working through our grief is affected by relationships with other family members. Mother loss can highlight the benefits or deficits in those other connections. For many motherless daughters, the relationship can be challenging with our father. This episode is a good reminder that God never stops working on us and sometimes peace and healing can come in unexpected ways.Motherless Daughters M...

In our busy lives, rest is often something completely overlooked and undervalued. But rest and restoration are so important. Some of the essential components of getting rest are staying hydrated, restful sleep, and good nutritional intake. Rest promotes good physical and mental health as well as motivation. The benefits include injury prevention, improved performance, and facilitating recovery from stress. This episode looks at the importance of prioritizing rest in our lives, especially rest...

Fond memories of annual traditions can trigger grief. Mother loss may become a filter for everything that follows. This episode focuses on two motherless daughters sharing their summer traditions and memories. While they both deal with the change in summer after mother loss, they find ways to continue those traditions. The episode reminds us how quickly time can pass and how important it is to live in the moment.ResourcesPodcast Episode highlights blog by Heather Wolper: https://www.motherles...

What does peace sound like? The answer is different for every individual. Each of us is unique and may find peace in a different way anytime it is needed. Our guest, Gina Ellis, is a blog writer and shares her unique story of finding peace when needed. She concludes by helping us list our unique pathways to peacefulness.ResourcesPodcast Episode highlights blogs by Gina Ellis:https://www.motherlessdaughtersministry.com/2020/08/02/the-sound-of-peace/Motherless Daughters Ministry offerings...

In our ministry, we are blessed to have the opportunity to work with so many women navigating their grief journey. Whether through emotional absence, narcissism, or death, the common denominator of mother loss creates a strong bond throughout our community. This episode shares one story of a Motherless Daughters Ministry participant turned leader. Cathy DiBella's testimony is an encouragement that healing is possible. If you want more information, email us or leave a voicemail message on our ...

How we were raised has such a big influence on our relationships even into adulthood. For motherless daughters who experienced emotional absenceor chaos in their homes, this can be a difficult cycle to break. This week’s episode looks at learning healthy relationship skills when navigating conflict. Maya Meggido shared how loss impacted her ability to establish relationships.ResourcesPodcast Episode highlights blog by "Maya"https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/4hoix8y763djy3oytnoob/Episode087.mp3?r...

This week’s episode looks at the pressure so many of us put on ourselves to “move on” and be okay again. But, grief is a winding road and a lifelong journey. We explore ways we can aid ourselves in our healing journey. "Maya" is sharing part of her story to encourage and let us know we are not alone.The Motherless Daughters Ministry has been part of Maya's story and is here for you. Resources and opportunities to be seen, heard, and supported are offered in a safe environment. The grief...

The Motherless Daughters Ministry is fortunate to have a team of great volunteers. This series highlights MDM podcast administrator, Sarah Lynn Wells, interviewing volunteers to learn more about their stories of getting involved with the ministry. All of us are motherless daughters, but everyone has a unique experience. The current episode features Mary Frank, a talented volunteer who is sharing her knowledge, skills, and abilities to support the ministry at a time of growth. She recalls...

Some motherless daughters find parenting a challenge without their mother. Whether it is not having their mother physically there anymore or not having had a positive motherly role model it can feel lonely and overwhelming parenting as a motherless daughter. Sarah Lynn Wells, Podcast Administrator, shares her story of finding comfort in the middle of her challenge. This podcast kicks off a new series of intermittent episodes entitled, "The Motherless Mother." Resources:https:...

Mother's Day can be a challenging day for motherless daughters. There are as many reasons for its challenging nature as there are individuals. Every situation is unique, but we all understand and identify with the impact on our lives. Regardless of the type of loss, the day can be heavy. This episode looks at some strategies from our Founder, Mary Ellen Collins, for getting through the day.ResourcesPodcast Episode highlights blog by Mary Ellen Collins:https://www.motherlessdaughtersministry.c...

In our busy lives, it can be so easy to stuff our grief down and fill our minds with anything else. We live busy, fast-paced lives with many things that vie for our attention. All of those things can become the “anything else” that fills our minds, helps us avoid feeling the grief, and convinces us that we are “fine.” ResourcesPodcast Episode highlights blog by C. A. Bleu:https://www.motherlessdaughtersministry.com/2022/08/31/im-fine-youre-fine-were-all-fine/Song of the Day, ...

This week’s episode gives a review of the book, Will I Ever Be Good Enough? Healing the Daughters of the Narcissistic Motherby Dr. Karyl McBride. Cathy DiBella, one of our volunteers who is a blog writer as well as a facilitator, shares what the book covers and how it can help women who have a narcissistic mother.The Motherless Daughters Ministry (MDM) offers resources and opportunities to be seen, heard, and supported in a safe environment. . The grief journey is not an easy one and is parti...

The Motherless Daughters Ministry’s flagship offering is The “Journey Retreat: Healing the Wounds of Mother Loss One Step at a Time.” It is designed to assist you in resuming, continuing, or starting the path to healing from the impact of mother loss. This is an in-person retreat for motherless daughters, both those who have physically lost their mother or those who had mother loss through abandonment, emotional absence, or narcissism. One of our participants shares her life-changing ex...

Motherless Daughters Minstry’s podcast administrator, Sarah Lynn Wells, interviewed Maryann Rousseau. Maryann has started a new platform, Daughters Without Mothers, which is a place to share stories of hope from women who have experienced mother loss. Listen to hear more about Maryann’s story and learn about Daughters Without Mothers.ResourcesWays to find Daughters Without Mothers:● Website: www.DaughtersWithoutMothers.org● Instagram handle: @Daughters_...