Tag Archives: griefeducationpodcast

Birthdays, Death of a Child, Homicide, The Mary Mac Show

The Mary Mac Show | Happy 50th Birthday Angela

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In Episode 156, LaTonya Moore, Esq. and I speak about the criminal justice system after the murder of a loved one and honor my stepdaughter who would have celebrated her 50th birthday today had she not been murdered at the age of 11.

When someone in your life is murdered, it throws you into a world that you never expected.

You start to ask yourself so many questions.

How could this have happened?

How could someone be so malicious, callous, brazen to have taken the life of someone else?

If you’ve been raised to respect others, you just can’t understand how someone could do this.

When someone you love is intentionally killed by another human being, you are left with more questions than answers.

Now we’re not talking about the weapon that was used to kill them.

It really doesn’t matter how they were killed. It matters THAT they were killed and by someone who intentionally killed them.

They had malice in their heart and for whatever reason they took someone’s life, they meant to do them harm.

And having to live with that fact, is extremely mind-blowing.

When LaTonya and I had this conversation in 2015, we delved into the murder of two individuals in her life and all she went through with their trials.

It took us 18 years to have our crime solved – the murder of Angela, my stepdaughter who was killed in 1984 and it took until 2002 just to have an arrest in the case.

Another 2 years to go to trial, 2 weeks to choose a jury, another entire calendar month of February 2004 to sit through the trial and a conviction on the last Friday afternoon of the month.

It was mentally exhausting, financially draining to fly from Florida to Long Island for the trial and the goodwill of friends who we stayed with throughout the trial.

Today Angela would have been 50 years old. All the life we missed over the last 39 years.

Unless you’ve lived through something so horrific, you really can’t comprehend the pain it brings when someone is intentionally taken from you and your family.

I’d like to think she’s resting in heaven and celebrating this day with those who love her.

Happy Birthday, Angela.

xoxo

Additional Resources:

Parents of Murdered Children – www.pomg.org

My 3 book bundle including Understanding Your Grieving Heart After a Loved One’s Death is perfect for those beginning their journey. It is available for immediate download in any part of the world.

Visit Crisis Connections at my website to telephone a trained counselor to speak with whenever you are feeling lonely, overwhelmed, confused, frightened, fearful or any host of emotions. Even if it is a suicide hotline, do not think they cannot help you. You do not need to feel suicidal to speak with these wonderful counselors. They are there to listen to you.

Use the Emotional Freedom Technique for Grief.

You can watch Marissa Peer’s “I Am Enough” meditation.

Treat yourself to a lovely gift from our Heart of Gold “I Remember” Products from The Mary Mac Store.

Remember, a portion of all proceeds help fund The Foundation for Grieving Children, Inc., the first national non-profit public charity which benefits children, teens, young adults after a loved one’s death which I established many years ago. Perhaps you’d like to give a donation in your sibling’s name.

And remember to sign up for my private email list so we can always stay in touch, since social media is no longer reliable. Receive my ebook 21 Things You Must Know About The Grieving Process for immediate download.

We’d love your support for our podcast and the work I do for grieving individuals. Buy me a coffee is an easy way to help me. Click on the purple coffee cup on this page! Thanks.

Emotional Freedom Technique | EFT, Holidays, The Mary Mac Show

The Mary Mac Show | Thanksgiving 2022

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The Mary Mac Show Podcast

In Episode 155, we consider our Thanksgiving blessings and how to deal with this holiday after a loved one’s death.

Some other countries also celebrate this glorious day where we have a lovely feast of food and appreciate our family and friends.

Yet when we’ve experienced a loved one’s death, Thanksgiving can be a difficult holiday when the person we love is missing.

This may be the first holiday since your special loved one’s death and, if so, you might not be prepared for what may happen on this day.

But remember, whether you get emotional or not, people who have invited you to their home will understand. They know you are in pain.

Please be kind to yourself as we enter into the year-end holiday season.

Bless you, my friend.

Additional Notes:

Learn EFT, the Emotional Freedom Technique for Grieving.

Pick up my 3 book bundle with includes my book on Holiday Grief: How To Cope With Stress, Anxiety and Depression After a Loved One’s Death which is available for immediate download.

Meditation Videos to help you rest. Choose which resonate with you.

Please share with anyone you know who might benefit from this knowledge. Also subscribe to my podcast on whichever podcast platform you listened in.

xoxo

Death of a Sibling, Emotional Freedom Technique | EFT, The Mary Mac Show

The Mary Mac Show | Death of a Sibling

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The Mary Mac Show Podcast

In Episode 154, we discuss our pain after the death of a sister or brother, stepsister or stepbrother, the nuances of our relationship, how most dismiss the gravity of this loss and how to help ourselves through the grieving process.

When our sibling dies, it can be very painful and usually an unexpected death.

We knew them almost all our lives, were brought up together, loved each other through thick and thin.

We expected to grow old with them, raise our children together, go on vacations together, enjoy family gatherings together for holidays, events and other life events.

We thought we would be with each other when our parents became ill later in life.

We expected that they would be there for us when we had difficulty emotionally because most times they were our go-to person growing up and now that they’ve died or were killed, whom do we turn to when times become hard.

Experiencing the death of a brother, sister, stepbrother or stepsister, whom we were raised with, is something that shocks us to our core.

This was not supposed to happen.

Our parents are supposed to die first, not them!

Listen in to today’s episode to learn more about your responses and others’ reactions after you’ve experienced a sibling’s death.

Your grief will be intertwined with your sister or brother-in-law’s who lost their spouse, your parents who have now lost a child, and your grandparents who have lost a grandchild.

Also remember your own spouse and children may be highly affected too.

Sending you my love. xoxo

Additional Notes:

My 3 book bundle including Understanding Your Grieving Heart After a Loved One’s Death is perfect for those beginning their journey. It is available for immediate download in any part of the world.

Visit Crisis Connections at my website to telephone a trained counselor to speak with whenever you are feeling lonely, overwhelmed, confused, frightened, fearful or any host of emotions. Even if it is a suicide hotline, do not think they cannot help you. You do not need to feel suicidal to speak with these wonderful counselors. They are there to listen to you.

Use the Emotional Freedom Technique for Grief.

You can watch Marissa Peer’s “I Am Enough” meditation.

Treat yourself to a lovely gift from our Heart of Gold “I Remember” Products from The Mary Mac Store.

Remember, a portion of all proceeds help fund The Foundation for Grieving Children, Inc., the first national non-profit public charity which benefits children, teens, young adults after a loved one’s death which I established many years ago. Perhaps you’d like to give a donation in your sibling’s name.

And remember to sign up for my private email list so we can always stay in touch, since social media is no longer reliable. Receive my ebook 21 Things You Must Know About The Grieving Process for immediate download.

We’d love your support for our podcast and the work I do for grieving individuals. Buy me a coffee is an easy way to help me. Click on the purple coffee cup on this page! Thanks.

Military, Suicide, Veterans

The Mary Mac Show | Veterans Day 2022

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The Mary Mac Show PodcastIn Episode 153, we honor our veterans this week in the USA and around the world for all they have sacrificed for our countries’ freedom.

We are so grateful for the outstanding veterans in our lives.

They have sacrificed so much of their emotional, mental and physical strength for our benefit.

They’ve encounters horrific situations in far away lands which we will never know.

And they lived through traumas for years after leaving the military.

Some have lost limbs, had permanent and temporary injuries, traumatic brain injuries as well as post traumatic stress disorder.

These injuries take months or years to heal, if they ever do.

And their families welcome them home and help them endure the aftermath of illness, injury and war.

So on Veterans Day, this week on November 11th in the USA, and on your Veterans’ Day around the world, we thank those who put their lives on the line for our safety and freedom.

But we also sincerely thank their family and friends who love them and care for them as they recover.

With Blessings and Gratitude,

Mary Mac
xoxo

Additional Notes:

If you are having difficulty, please use the following assistance:

Visit my Crisis Connections page on this site to find telephone helpline counselors to speak with all around the world. Don’t be shy; they are there to help when you are having a hard time.

You can also visit the Gary Sinise Foundation’s suicide prevention telephone line. If you are a veteran in crisis or concerned about one, caring VA responders are standing by to help. Dial 1-800-273-8255 and press 1.

The Disabled American’s Veterans organization or DAV.org is ready to help, as well.

Search for homeopathic doctors with the designation CCH in your area of the world. Read their sites and speak with them to determine whom you would feel most comfortable working with.

Emotional Challenges, Social Challenges, The Mary Mac Show

The Mary Mac Show | The Gift of Embrace

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The Mary Mac Show Podcast

In Episode 152, we discuss the value of embrace, touch and hugs to ward off despair, depression, fear, stress, loneliness and isolation after a loved one’s death and instead to soak in love, peace and calm.

Most of us are unaware of the need to be held, hugged and embraced on a regular basis.

But especially when we have experienced the death of a significant person in our lives, the need is that much more important.

When people come to visit, open your arms to them to welcome this gesture.

It might not have felt important before, but now you need to drink in that embrace to help you heal.

Whether you are young or old, having someone embrace you gives you a sense of peace and calm.

It might bring tears but what do you care.

You need that comfort that a long embrace provides to you.

And if we are isolated or don’t have others around us, perhaps because we are widowed, live alone, are single, etc. it is important to have a pet or stuffed animal which we can cuddle with, stroke, snuggle with, sleep with just to have that connection.

Do you notice how young children love stuffed animals that they tuck under their arm and sleep with at night.

It brings them security and comfort.

And don’t you be embarrassed to do the same thing if you are alone and have no pet.

As I mention in my podcast this week, the light pink stuffed bear I bought for my grandmother gave her great comfort and when she died, I took it and still have it on my closet shelf.

I look at it all the time and it reminds me of her, but at times I hold it and stroke it and it comforts me.

So if you don’t have loved ones around you, get a stuffed or real animal to keep you company.

Speak to it, sleep with your furbaby, let it make you smile and laugh.

You need that to reduce stress, disease, anxiety, despair and depression.

Do it now so no matter what the future brings, you will have your friend there for you.

And when you are able to meet up with others face to face, make sure you reach open your arms and simply say “I need a hug.”

Be kind to yourself.

Sending you my love, my warrior! xoxo

Additional Notes:

My book Understanding Your Grieving Heart After a Loved One’s Death is perfect for those beginning their journey. Click here to get yours by downloading it immediately.

Visit Crisis Connections at my website to telephone a trained counselor to speak with whenever you are feeling lonely, overwhelmed, confused, frightened, fearful or any host of emotions. Even if it is a suicide hotline, do not think they cannot help you. You do not need to feel suicidal to speak with these wonderful counselors. They are there to listen to you.

Use the Emotional Freedom Technique for Healing.

You can watch Marissa Peer’s “I Am Enough” meditation.

Treat yourself to a lovely gift from our Heart of Gold “I Remember” Products from The Mary Mac Store.

Remember, a portion of all proceeds help fund The Foundation for Grieving Children, Inc., the first national non-profit public charity which benefits children, teens, young adults after a loved one’s death which I established many years ago. Your donation would mean so much!

And remember to sign up for my private email list so we can always stay in touch, since social media is no longer reliable. Receive my free ebook 21 Things You Must Know About The Grieving Process for immediate download.