Tag Archives: grieving

Announcing The Mary Mac Show | Understanding Your Grieving Heart After a Loved One’s Death

The Mary Mac Show Podcast

After much thought and many months of research and education of how to create a podcast, my show is finally here.

Decades ago I thought it would be wonderful to have a radio show on the grieving process after someone had died. I looked into it a few times and each time the cost was exorbitant.

As years passed and podcasting came about, I considered this media as a much better alternative for many reasons.

First, whatever I created could be hosted online forever for a much lesser charge.

Secondly, the work I did would be accessable to everyone, anywhere in the world they may be.

Thirdly, as time goes on, and a newly bereaved individual finds The Mary Mac Show, they will be able to start at the beginning or jump around to the episode which resonates with them for that period of time in their grieving process.

And lastly, it gave me a place to speak with the hurting directly, easily, intimately and share my over three decades of knowledge and lifelong pain from my own grief experiences.

So I’ve worked long days and nights over the last few months learning all I needed to know about how to set up a podcast. There is so much to learn!

The first person that needs thanking is Kayleigh Hanlin, co-Founder of Empowered Minds whom I met at a conference in September. Her organization helps children to live a life of self-love, self-acceptance and self-confidence through workshops and using their book The J.O.Y. Journal (Just Be You)!

She graciously introduced me to her cousin Justyn Bostick and his podcast Creating The Game. Justyn helped guide me through the podcast process and we had a wonderful conversation which led to an interview on his podcast.

Although I’ve never met them, I’d also like to thank Pat Flynn, whose site Smart Passive Income includes his podcasts The SPI Show and The Ask Pat Show. His videos on podcasting are outstanding.

John Lee Dumas‘ podcast, Entrepreneurs On Fire or Fire Nation, also has a detailed course on podcasting which was invaluable to me.

Yet the most important person to acknowledge is my David. His support and encouragement through these very long days made this possible. He listened through all the struggles, offered advice, and stayed awake till all hours of the night while I worked on the computer to create this baby. I am truly blessed to have him in my life. Thank you so much, David.

To all who helped my podcast become a reality, I appreciate your generosity of spirit.

Go to The Mary Mac Show to listen to my welcome podcast and learn more!

P.S. It is important to start with Episode 1 and work your way through. I have a method to my madness in that I incorporate several exercises within the first number of episodes which are foundational so even when the holidays have passed, please start from the beginning. Thank you.

Happy Thanksgiving

Especially at this time of year, although all year long, I want to say how grateful I am for you.

Dealing with the death of a loved one is a stressful process and I appreciate the trust you have in me.

As we begin to move into the holiday season, please be kind to yourself.

A very special surprise is coming on Sunday, December 8, 2019. I will keep you posted.

Meanwhile, enjoy this time with family and friends.

I will be thinking of you.

Dealing with the Homicide of a Loved One

Real Perspectives LogoAs many of you may know, many years ago my former husband’s daughter was murdered at the age of 11. This brought us on an 18 year journey to find her killer and another two years to see him brought to justice.

Recently I was a guest on LaTonya Moore’s radio show, Real Perspectives, where the conversation moved into how to not only handle grief after a murder, but other advice for how to more effectively move through the grieving process regardless of how your loved one died.

If you are dealing with the homicide death of a loved one, you may wish to listen in here.

Mother’s Day

I was on my AskMaryMac Facebook page and found a friend who mentioned how distraught she was that Mother’s Day was approaching and how much she missed her Mom.

She specifically spoke about how she would send her orchids each year and could no longer send them to her.

I decided to comment on her post:

“I have an idea. What if you took the money you were going to spend on orchids and bring Mother’s Day balloons to several women in a retirement or nursing home who have no children to receive anything from. Perhaps their children have predeceased them and they feel the same pain you now feel. Can you imagine all the love you would share when you see the delight on their faces when someone as wonderful as you took the time to make their day. It’s one of the greatest experiences you will ever have. Promise.”

Every moment we have the chance to make someone feel good about themselves, even when we feel so badly. It might take a little research to find a local center, but walking into women’s rooms with a colorful balloon that they could look at for weeks to come will bring joy to them. I can’t think of anything more wonderful than to surprise a strange with such kindness.

Those ‘random acts of kindness’ bring life to others…and to you. Try it. And then comment below as to what happened and share it with all of us.

Happy Mother’s Day to those who are Moms, those whose Moms aren’t with us any longer, all those who were briefly Moms before the miscarriage, stillbirth or infant death of their child or children, those Moms whose adult children have died, and those who want so much to experience the joy of being called a Mom but are struggling to become pregnant.

When the Memories Flow, Even Years Later

Grandma and DaisyThis Saturday will be the 20th Anniversary of my beloved grandmother’s death at the age of 93. And I still think of her often and I miss her.

I miss her when things get tough and she’d remind me how strong I was. She’d be there to snuggle up against, just as I remember I would as a young child.

There are so many wonderful memories with her…driving to Jones Beach for dinner and her favored Manhattans. Who said 90 year-old grandmothers are not allowed to indulge too! Or the time we bought a plant of silk violets and her roommate watered them thinking they were real. Or how she would hold my little Shih-Tsu Daisy and talk to her on the terrace, as pictured here. They just loved each other so much.

As time goes on, we never forget those who loved us and whom we loved, no matter how long it’s been since they have died or were killed. Love doesn’t leave us, just because they have.

Actually, I think it remains in our spirit and is embedded within our soul. The best part is death can never take those feelings from us. Nor can anyone else.

We may fill the void with other new people who enter our lives, but the special bond we shared can never be exactly replaced.

They were unique. Our relationship was one of a kind. And even twenty years later, I smile at the wonderful times we shared, re-read the notes I found in storage which she would send to me at college. Look at the pictures, reminisce from time to time.

The sting of grief is no longer there. But the memories and the love will stay with me forever.

Understanding Your Grieving Heart After a Loved One’s Death will help you on your journey. Tell me your experiences and memories by sharing a comment.