Throughlines: Keeping A Connection With My Mom

Apr 9th, 2026 | Episode 349

Jeremy's mom was a protector, an optimist, and someone who held onto a sense of lightness - even after a cancer diagnosis that led to her death just a few months later.

In this episode, Jeremy shares what it was like to navigate such a short window between his mom's diagnosis and death, and how her outlook continues to shape him and his grief. From visiting her just before her death to to time spent in the woods bow hunting, he describes the ways he still feels connected to her.

After her death, Jeremy's connection to nature and hunting became a foundation for staying close with his mom. From finding a deer skull to a particularly challenging hunt, he felt her presence and support come through. Jeremy also turned to reconnecting with his Filipino heritage, joining a grief group, and moving to be closer to family as ways to cope with the loss.

At the heart of this conversation is the idea of ongoing connection - how relationships with people who have died can continue and evolve over time.

Note for listeners: This episode includes non-graphic references to bow hunting and the death of an animal. Please take care while listening.

In this episode, we talk about:

  • Grief after a rapid illness and loss
  • Staying connected to someone who has died
  • The role of nature and ritual in grief
  • Finding support, even when you're unsure
  • Honoring family, culture, and heritage

Read transcript.

Want to learn more about supporting children and teens who are grieving? Sign up for our online courses here: https://classes.dougy.org/

Ep 349 4000x4000

Support Grief Out Loud

"The best podcast out there for grievers and those interested in death and dying or working in that field. The host is so compassionate and asks the perfect questions. The guests are always very mindful and knowledgeable. I get something new out of every episode I listen to. Would highly recommend to anyone grieving as a tool towards resiliency through a really tough time."


Show your support for Grief Out Loud® and open up more conversations about grief by donating or subscribing today. Your donations keep this podcast free from advertising and your 5-star reviews help others find us.

Grief Out Loud® is supported in part by the Chester Stephan Endowment Fund in loving memory by the estate of Theodore R. Stephan.

Dougy Center, through the Grief Out Loud podcast, is committed to learning from and sharing diverse perspectives on grief experiences and grief support. The views expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of Dougy Center, its staff, or its Board of Directors.