📢 Nobody told me the second year would be harder than the first.

In this deeply vulnerable and heartfelt episode, Teresa Reiniger and co-host LaWayna Berry reunite for an honest conversation about what grief really looks like after the first year, when the world expects you to be "doing better," and your heart still aches deeply.

LaWayna opens up about life in the second year following the loss of her son, Joshie. She shares how the initial fog of shock gave way to a heavier emotional reality where anniversaries sting deeper, marriage is tested, and loneliness can feel even more isolating. Together, Teresa and LaWayna explore the complexities of long-term grief, the differences in how people grieve (especially within a marriage), and the unexpected shifts in support systems that come with time.

From honoring her son through tattoos and taco traditions to navigating marriage challenges and finding her true tribe, LaWayna’s honesty is both gut-wrenching and life-giving. This episode offers a powerful reminder that grief evolves and so do we.

🎧 "The second year? I wasn’t ready for it. It caught me off guard." — Wayna Berry

Key Topics Discussed:

✔️The Unexpected Weight of Year Two in Grief: How the second year can feel lonelier, more emotionally intense, and physically draining as the shock wears off.

✔️Grieving Differently in Relationships:  Navigating grief within marriage, including communication breakdowns, emotional disconnection, and finding common ground.

✔️Shifting Support Systems and “Holding Space”:  How friendships and family dynamics change, and what it truly means to hold space for someone who is grieving.

✔️Honoring a Child Through Rituals and Memorials: Personal ways of remembering a lost child, including tattoos, traditions, and intentional moments.

✔️The Role of Faith, Mental Health, and Physical Wellness: The intersection of spiritual growth, therapy, and chronic illness in the grieving process.

Key Takeaways:

✅ The second year of grief can feel even harder than the first, the fog lifts, but the pain often deepens when the world assumes you’ve “moved on.”

✅  People grieve differently even in the same household and clear, compassionate communication is essential to stay connected.

✅  Your support circle may change after a loss. Be open to unexpected people who show up, and let go of those who can’t.

✅  Self-advocacy matters. Use your voice to ask for what you need emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

✅  Healing doesn’t come from time alone, it comes from awareness, rest, connection, and sharing where it hurts.

Quotes to Remember:

💭 “The second year I was out of shock and reality sank in that I’m never going to see my son again.” LaWayna Berry

💭 “We were both grieving, just in totally different lanes. I needed mental health support. He wanted to read books. We were saying the same thing but couldn’t hear each other.” LaWayna Berry

💭 “People assume because I’m not crying, I’m okay. And what they call ‘anger’ is me using my voice. Directness doesn’t mean I’m not hurting.” LaWayna Berry

👉 Connect With Us:

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