#angel moms... hopes of heaven a mothers grief journey... finding our purpose without our children by Angela R. Presley Founder of Alonna's Song www.alonnasongstore.com

My name us Sue Burkhart. I live in Angier, NC., moving here from Central Ny, 17 years ago. I have a wonderful husband of 47 years, 2 amazing grown daughters with 2 amazing son in laws, 4 grandchildren, 2 of who i help raise and 2 greats.

Becky Hunt is on a life mission to help other women going through trials reclaim their joy. A mother of three, she understands pain and loss first-hand. She’s survived melanoma cancer, Type 1 diabetes, Graves’ disease and eating disorders. But the most difficult thing she has had to survive is the loss of one of her daughters, at only 82 days old. No one should have to carry the unbearable weight of child loss alone, which is how she came to be on this journey to unite women through their pain, forming a community of feminine strength that together, can face all obstacles.

Tonya Rogers, vice president of mother to mother incorporation

Marybeth is a retired Registered Nurse who witnessed her son Matt struggle with the disease of addiction until his death in January of 2015. Since that time she has turned her grief into advocating in how those suffering from SUD are treated. She has worked with Delaware legislators in passing several bills to ensure proper care and treatment for those struggling to find recovery. Her last bill is named in honor of her son, Matt in certifying and regulating Sober Homes. She has written a book called Letters To Matt sharing her story of life after losing Matt.

Julie Cluff is an author, speaker and intuitive coach. Her book Miracles in the Darkness offers hope to those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. In addition, she developed the HOPE Model of Healing as a helpful, gentle process to move through grief. As an intuitive coach she helps others rebuild their life and as a trainer she offers grief coach training for professionals who want to understand grief and healing. She loves bringing light and hope to audiences onstage or online. Julie has 6 children, two of which are angels. She lives just outside of Nashville TN with her husband Ron and her dog Coco.

Mother of Alexis Wilson Killed Dolton IL Police and criminalized by a corrupt Mayor

Freida MacDonald became an advocate for the opioid epidemic after losing her only two sons. Stephen died at 24 in January 2012 to gun violence and Michael died at 24 in February 2016 to fentanyl after a two-year battle with substance use disorder.Freida received her Bachelor of Business Administration from Campbell University in 2007 and retired from BB&T after 33 years in 2021. She founded the nonprofit Know Hope North Carolina whose mission is to remember those we have lost to substances, support those in recovery and give hope to those who are struggling. Know Hope North Carolina remembers loved ones on banners and billboards throughout our state. She works with NC Hope team and several other advocacy groups, focusing on drug awareness, reducing stigma, assisting people with grief, detox and recovery. She currently serves on the Board of the Governor’s Institute, a non-governmental non-profit focused on improving North Carolina’s effectiveness and success in prevention, treatment, and recovery of substance use disorders. She also serves on the International Overdose Awareness Day planning committee held on August 31 each year in Raleigh.Freida has certifications for Substance Use Counseling and Substance Use Intervention through Wake Tech and completed her internship with Healing Transitions in Raleigh May, 2022. She continues to do volunteer counseling at Healing Transitions. Freida passed the North Carolina Addictions Specialist Professional Practice Board CADC exam September 19, 2022 and is currently working for the hours needed to be fully certified.Freida facilitates grief support groups for North Carolina Victim Assistance Network. These monthly groups include an Opioid Loss Support Group and two violent Homicide Support Groups.Freida works for the Alcohol Drug Council of North Carolina (ADCNC) as a Recovery Resource Advocate. ADCNC takes calls daily for those looking for resources for both Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders. She also does outreach in the community sharing ADCNC and Know Hope North Carolina information at events throughout North Carolina.

Alice J. Wisler grew up in Japan as a missionary kid, where, from first grade on, she loved going to the library at her international school. She's the award-winning author of inspirational fiction, a devotional, and the new memoir, Life at Daniel's Place. Since the death of her four-year-old son Daniel in 1997, she has facilitated writing workshops for those who want to discover the benefits of writing for healing, health, and hope. Alice and her husband own a wood-engraving business in Durham, North Carolina.

Megan Hillukka is a bereaved mother, with 8 children, one who died at 15 months old. With her experience, trauma and anxiety became a part of her life, until she experienced what it's like to heal trauma and anxiety at the root level, and she got trained in a method called Rapid Resolution Therapy. Now Megan assists other moms in clearing anxiety and trauma every single day in just a few sessions together.

Gretchen is the Co-Founder & Executive Director of A New PATH (Parents for Addiction Treatment & Healing), a non-profit organization that works to reduce the stigma associated with drug use & addiction, and advocates for therapeutic rather than punitive drug policies. In 2000 she served as State Chairwoman for Proposition 36, which mandates treatment instead of incarceration for non-violent drug offenders and in 2016 she was a signer for Prop 64 (marijuana legalization) in California. A native of San Diego, she is also the Owner / Director of Gretchen Productions, a Fashion Show Production Company, which was started in 1979. Her articles on treatment vs. incarceration have been published nationwide. In 2009 she created the national Moms United to End the War on Drugs campaign and serves as lead organizer.

Raina Irene is a Heart, Soul, Spirit Practitioner, a Sacred Mommaz and the Author of the book: Because of Josiah, A Mother’s Unending Bond with her Son in Spirit.She holds multiple certificates in Holistic Health, Spiritual and Emotional Healing, Plant Medicine, Reiki, Angels, and The Spirit World.Raina was compelled to research beyond the human sphere when her sister went to Spirit when she was a teenager, which greatly impacted her view on life, and what was afterward.In her early thirties, after her father’s transition, she began an even deeper exploration into the Spirit World;However, it was her Son Josiah’s sudden ascension in 2017, that shifted her awareness and took her on a journey from heart-shattering grief to the realization that their bond is unbreakable, living, and still possible.With her Son-in-Spirit serving as her teacher, she learned to recognize, interpret, and respond to the messages we receive from the ones we love in Spirit.Raina’s eclectic and spiritual diversity enables her to tap into your unique needs, supporting and guiding you to clarity and connecting you with your own healing energies.Raina now works with mothers (Sacred Mommaz) who have Children-In-Spirit, helping them to understand that communication with their child is not only possible but happening all the time. She holds Healing through Writing Circles with an emphasis on Inner Wisdom and Understanding this Sacred Journey.

This episode I share a little of how I lost Alonna and my thoughts and feelings on the unspeakable journey that we walk. GOD give us the strenghth as we go!

A healing episode for #AngelMoms all over the globe 💜

Christi Brown is Judah’s momma, momma to 2 other biological children and 4 step children, a writer, a licensed special educatuon teacher and a drowning prevention advocate. She is now the exective director of the Judah Brown Project, a 501c3 non profit organization whose mission it is to break down financial and education barriers that families have to protecting their children from drowning.

We are going to have rough days in this grief life, it's just apart of us now. Here are 7 things that I do to help me get through my WAVES.

My name is Stephanie Eckler, I have 3 kids and one went to heaven in 2016. His name is Jackson and Jackson was 7 years old, he passed away from a sudden death, a freak deal. He had stomach virus and he choked on his vomit while taking a shower. He was found by his dad and he was pronounced brain dead on Oct 2. We donated his organs, he saved 4 lives and gave eyesight.

Tammy Leslie is a mother of three sons, angel mom to one beautiful daughter and now legal guardian of two small grandchildren Kaden and Kolton ages 10 & 7 respectively.I started on this journey of advocacy, drug awareness, anti-stigmatism, and fighting for justice after my 25 year old only daughter was poisoned by fentanyl on June 11, 2020 during the covid pandemic,It changed my life forever.I made it a point from that day and going forward once I got past the initial grief to help others and try to save as many lives as i could, I could not save my daughter’s but i was going to honor her memory trying to save others. This is how it all began.

Native of Gary, IN; FW resident for 36 yrs; married to Pastor Mitchell Griffin for 31 yrs; mother of 2 sons; employed at FWCS for 25 yrs; Pastor's wife & member of Heaven 2 Earth Baptist Church; Director of newly formed non-profit established in the memory of Justin Griffin called JUAL, INC.

On Thanksgiving Eve 2011, Karen Perry's life changed forever when her three young children and their father died in a plane that crashed into Superstition Mountain in Arizona. The story made national headlines and was featured on the Oprah Winfrey Network as part of its Super Soul Sunday series. Everyone wanted to know ---- how does a mother comprehend, let alone process, such a loss?Her book, Angels Three takes readers deep inside Karen Perry's world of aviation, the challenges of parenting special needs children, and the indescribable pain of every parent's worst fear come true. This skilled pilot and grieving mother is left to search for clues about what happened that night and why. Her search for the truth leads to a startling revelation, a legal battle with the Federal Aviation Administration, and a troubling question: Was the crash avoidable? A tragic and ultimately hopeful story of perseverance in the face of unimaginable loss.

@iamkristinbiggswww.releaseandunleash.orginfo@releaseandunleash.org

Discussing goals, dreams and PURPOSE for the New Year!

It's always the "Empty Chair" season for us but especially during the holiday. This message is the encourage Mommas to keep pushing and doing whatever feels right for you to get through your holidays!

I'm Angela President CEO President Investors, LLC & Author of Pain, Purpose & God's Plan "Life Lessons on Losing". I am also the mother of the late "Amari T President" from Summerville, SC. Amari President was known for his passion for politics and his role as part of the President Joe Biden campaign in 2020. He was a football player that attended Ashley Ridge High School. On August 25, 2020, Amari returned home to his father's house where he collapsed on his way to the shower. She questioned God looking for answers to why this was all happening to her? She fell into deep depression with attempts of suicide. She begin to write poured all her pains out in her book which has become so healing for her. Today, she's a fully published author and has now relocated to Atlanta, GA to have a fresh start and continue to share her and Amari’s story to give hope and inspiration to others. Everyone has a story to tell; and she will forever tell you "Let's Heal Together"

Angela Marie

My Son Dylan Plakstis was my first born child out of 6. Dylan loved writing and recording music. He wrote a song  called Hope. Dylan was a kind loving person. He was an organ donor and saved 3 people with his heart liver and lungs.

Kelly is the president of jocoangels overdose awareness and support. After losing her oldest son David to an intentional oxycodone overdose, Kelly was delivered from a 20 year alcohol addiction. She began to find ways to serve her community by educating students of the dangers of drugs and alcohol and supporting families who were battling addiction on June 21, 2023 Kelly and her family tragically lost her youngest son John to an accidental overdose. Although this loss has been devastating to her family by the grace of God, they still continue to serve and support the Recovery community.

November 22, 2020, was the exclamation point on my grief journey. At around 5:31 pm my 17-year-old son left this plain in a fatal car accident. My grief journey began long before losing my son, at just 4 I lost my 2-year-old brother, that is where this truly began. I went on to lose multiple sets of great grandparents, my grandfather, my step-father (who was like a father to me), my grandmother - who I lived next to all of my life and was my favorite person in the world, and a handful of other relatives.

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Zanetia is the mother of two God given gifts. One she can hold in her arms and one she can only hold in her heart. She is the CEO of Operation Recovery Inc. & Mississippi State Lead for Voices of Black Mothers United. She is a 20+years academic educator, grief coach, living on purpose to fulfill purpose.

Just a little encouragement for National Daughters/Sons Day!

AnneMoss Rogers is a mental health and suicide education expert, professional speaker, trainer, and consultant. She is a TEDx storyteller, and author of the award-winning memoir, Diary of a Broken Mind. In 2015, her 20-year-old son Charles died by suicide. She published her second book with co-writer Dr. Kimberly O'Brien called Emotionally Naked: A Teacher’s Guide to Preventing Suicide and Recognizing Students at Risk on August 24, 2021.

Stories of Hope video podcast host. Helping people heal, connect, be inspired, and hive Hope through real life storytelling. Spotlight non profit organizations nation wide

Marcy is a married pediatrician and mother of three children living in Grand Rapid, Michigan. Her life was turned upside-down in August of 2018 when her 14-year-old son Andy was killed in a car accident while the family was traveling to a baseball game. Marcy was completely devastated, needing to take a long leave of absence from work. Whole trying to recover from this unimaginable loss, she tried turning to podcasts for help. After searching in vain for a podcast focusing on parental grief and child loss, she found that none existed. She immediately felt the call to start her own. Marcy started ‘Losing a Child: Always Andy’s Mom.’ Over the past almost four years now, she has worked to bring parents together with a focus on hope and healing after child loss.

I have 2 children, lost my only daughter to fentanyl in 2020. Just trying to turn pain into purpose while raising fentanyl awareness. I am the National Communications Director for The Fentanyl Awareness Coalition.

Amanda is a psychotherapist, life coach, and author who has been supporting people to heal from trauma and adversity for over twenty years. Although she technically went to school to learn to help people, life has been her biggest teacher of how to heal from trauma, PTSD, depression and anxiety. Most recently, she lost her three month old son to complications from a genetic disorder which catapulted her forward into a healing that she never imagined. From her loss, she wrote a book called Embody Your Worth: Essential Strategies to Live Confidently and Create Your Dream Life

Amanda Applon is a Certified Grief & Trauma Educator who leads an in-person Grief support group at her church as well as an online, support group called Carrying Love Forward. Amanda is honored to support others coping with loss in hopes of normalizing the journey of grief, while promoting healthy healing. She is also the Executive Director of, The Derrick Michael Applon Foundation; a nonprofit established in honor of her late son, Derrick. Through this foundation, community enrichment is cultivated by providing grief support, educational scholarships and community resource partnerships.In addition to her son Derrick, Amanda is the proud mother of Pheobe and Elijah and is the grateful wife of her late husband, Michael.

How I spent Alonna's birthday I'm sure you mommas can relate... and hopefully there's some helpful tips for you to try on your baby's birthday 💜

Whitney has been a grieving mom since June 2020 when her first-born twin son Orion died in a drowing accident during the night, while the family was sleeping, when they were visiting her mom’s house. Following Orion’s death Whitney went in search of answers which lead her to spirituality and a complete change in the way she lives her life now. Whitney believes that Orion’s death was always the plan for their lives and it has set Whitney on a path of helping other grieving parents find their way to move forward. She started her podcast The Selfish Griever in January 2023 for grieving parents seeking spiritual support.

Theresa Juillerat, mother of an angel, Christopher Juillerat who will forever be 23. My sons life, was cut short on 5/12/20, when he consumed a partial pill containing a lethal dose of Fentanyl. In the last 3 years,, I've tried to find ways to honor my son and raise awareness by sharing his story, to try and save the lives of others. Our country is in a state of crisis over the devistation Fentanyl has caused. I've made it a personal mission, to support families who have had to endure, losing their loved ones, to the poisons that are circulating in neighborhoods all across our Nation.

Javon's Mom

My name is Rachel Carlisle..I am a Mother to an Angel..I am now her voice and share her story in hopes of bringing Awareness to Mental Health, Substance Use, Illicit Fentanyl and stoping the shame and stigmas of grieving out loud...

Carla Blowey is a certified Dream Work Facilitator through the Marin Institute for Projective Dream Work with founder Dr. Jeremy Taylor. The author of Dreaming Kevin: The Path to Healing, Carla facilitates individual and group dream work sessions on site and online; and presents dream work programs for support groups and national bereavement organizations. Weaving the values of spirituality with personal loss and transition for psychological and spiritual growth, Carla invites the dream images to speak their truth, creating a space for grace to nourish and Love to flourish.

Stacey Davis lost her son, Codi McCann, to homicide on December 6, 2026. As she fought for justice for her son she found many gaps in the justice system that caused co-victims to be abused and re-victimized. JAVA (Justice, Accountability and Victim Advocacy) was formed to help fill in those gaps and to help families fight for justice for their murdered loved one.

Jeralynn Q.T. Brown-Blueford is the Mother of Alan Blueford, who at age 18 was killed in 2012 by an Oakland, California, police officer. Ms. Brown-Blueford is the Co-Director of the Alan Blueford Center for Justice and the Co-Founder of the Alan Blueford Foundation, both institutions were founded in the aftermath of Alan's death. The officer who killed Alan had not activated his body camera during the deadly encounter; the facts in the shooting were disputed by the family and numerous witnesses; but he was never charged or tried. Jeralynn's family along with the support of the JAB committee and community members forced the Oakland Police Department to mandate that all police officers MUST wear and keep on their lapel camera's doing all police stops. A wife, mother of three children, and Grandmother.Jeralynn has always had a heart for people. Since her teen years, she has worked in healthcare and social/community services. She is a well-known community organizer and activist in Oakland, often called upon to speak at rallies, social justice panels, and local government meetings. After Alan was killed, Jeralynn went back to school, earning her Bachelor's Degree in theology, and a Master's Degree in Divinity. Ms. Blueford works as an ordained minister and certified chaplain within the Bay Area Community. She is also a Support and Resource Specialist working with the National Alliance of Mental Issues Contra Costa County offering culturally responsive, non-clinical support services, providing resources and information to help people find their way during difficult times. Her specialties: grief counseling for families who has lost loved ones, support and counseling for family members who has lost loved ones to police violence, support for those suffering mental illness, peer and support counseling for families of incarcerated loved ones. Jeralynn has taken her pain and turned it into a purpose for healing broken hearts. She travels widely in the United States and abroad, speaking out against police brutality -and speaking out for prison reform, women's rights, social justice, affordable housing, and fair wages.

I am a retired elementary school teacher and a travel enthusiast. I lost two girls, one who was prematurely born and then my daughter Brittany at age 21

Judy Thureson has a genuine desire to see people live their most authentic life. In the last decade, she has helped hundreds of clients transform their mental, physical, and spiritual health.

Alishia Anderson is a baby loss support coach, grief companion, and hope dealer that helps angel moms deconstruct their grief, and honor their angel babies, while accepting their own unique motherhood journeys.

I lost my beautiful daughter, Brianna “Bree” Lenyne King on January 22, 2016. She was gorgeous, brilliant and was a friend to everyone. Bree’s mission in life was to help people. She was just getting started when her life was cut short st 20 years old. This is where my story begins…..you see, I died that day too. A new Mom developed and I’m here to tell you about my journey….

This episode is me giving a little of myself and my heart in the Angel Mom journey. Opening up on how I feel about our pains and struggle, BUT still continuing to shine Alonna's light! I hope you enjoy this episode some things I had to dig down deep inside and take deep breathes to share. Thanks for listening MOMMAS!

Denise lost her daughter and only child, Holland, 10 years ago this month. (March 29). Since then she has tried to honor Holland on her ongoing grief journey. Denise has written and performed many of her songs at national grief conferences which seem to bring comfort to other bereaved parents who know exactly what she is singing about! Most recently, Denise wrote and published a book called "Becoming IN-lightened" to share her story and how grievers and anyone going through trauma of any kind can better cope. By creatively expressing herself through books and music, Denise has found purpose to go on.

We will make it through this unspeakable journey together!

ENCOURAGEMENT EPISODE 2

Mothers ENCOURAGEMENT