100. 5 Things I've Learned About Grief & Baby Loss from 100 Episodes with Ashlee Proffitt

The Joyful Mourning - A Podcast for Women Who Have Experienced Pregnancy or Infant Loss

You are listening to The Joyful Mourning Podcast episode 100. I cannot even believe it. God has used stories and honesty, tears and even laughter to bring joy and hope and healing to women around the world who have experienced the loss of a baby.

This episode is an incredible milestone. One that I can hardly believe. There were many many weeks when the ontaking of producing yet another episode felt too much or too heavy. There were weeks when I wanted to shut the nearly broken laptop or put away the microphone and call it quits. But I couldn’t quit because I knew you would show up. I knew you would be waiting. I knew these simple but honest conversations would bring light to the darkness you were walking through. I knew because these conversations were what I needed 12 years ago.

I knew you needed to be reminded that you weren’t alone. I knew you needed the comfort of another mom telling you you’re not crazy, that the emotions you are experiencing are normal, and that while you may not believe it right now, you are going to be ok. I knew you needed to hear moms who had experienced loss who were just a little further down the grief journey laugh because in those early days of grief laughing feels like an impossibility. I knew you needed to hear women talk honestly about their faith journeys and what it looked like to wrestle with God amidst the pain He could have stopped. I knew what you needed because I needed it too. And some days, even all these years later, I still need it. Like you, I need the comfort of other women who understand this kind of loss; of being reminded I am not alone or the only one walking through such loss. I need their listening ear and their prayers and words of wisdom.

I’m so grateful you kept showing up week after week. I’m grateful for every subscribe and every download and every kind review. I’m grateful for every single dm or email -- would you believe that those messages mean so much that I actually screenshot them and have them saved on my phone. So when the work feels too hard I can be easily reminded that it is absolutely, 100% worth it. Because you are worth it.

You matter. And you are seen. And loved. And not alone.

In this special 100th episode I’m going to be sharing 5 things I’ve learned from the last 99 episodes. But more than anything I want you to hear me say:

Thank you for showing up and tuning in week after week. Thank you for sharing your stories with me. Thank you for giving me the honor of walking alongside you amidst your grief.

THE JOYFUL MOURNING COMMUNITY

If you are new to The Joyful Mourning Podcast I wanted to share two things with you. First, I wanted to invite you to join our free online community -- The Joyful Mourning Community. Join hundreds of other women who are walking this grief journey, women like you who are searching for joy and hope after loss. A place to be reminded that you aren’t alone. A place to find comfort and healing. A safe place amidst the chaos of life after loss. For all the details about how to join this special community head to themorning.com/community.

Second I just wanted to share a few words about how this podcast has helped women like you.

Aimee said: “This podcast has helped me feel less alone and is the number one resources I share with friends who are going through loss or want to understand it better.”

Andrea said “It has helped me know that I’m not alone on this journey and there are other women who are feeling the same emotions as me. It has been my voice of reason on days when I feel like I’m spiraling out of control.”

Devyn said “I remember hearing Ashlee laugh and the comfort and hope that gave me that I would be okay, one day, was so healing on it’s own. It was a gateway back to God, as we know how hard that relationship can be post loss.”

Kayla said “it was probably the single most helpful thing for me! Being able to hear hope and strength and relate to other women let me know I would get through this.” And to those responses and the many other I received I say “thanks God. thank you for seeing these women. For loving them. For sustaining this endeavor to bring hope to the hurting.”

DAYBREAK ALL ACCESS REPLAY

One more thing -- if you love the podcast I have something else I am sure you will love as well. A few weeks ago I hosted our first ever virtual event, Daybreak. And it was amazing. 9 different sessions --- real women sharing honestly about different aspects of their journey of finding hope and joy after baby loss. If you missed Daybreak in its entirety or even just a session or two, head to daybreakconference.com for details about how to get access to the replays. The replay access will only be available for a short time and I want you to have it. Because just like this podcast, it will remind you you aren’t alone and that there is joy to be had. That’s daybreakconference.com -- head there for all the details.

Thank you for being here week after week. Just like always, I pray this episode is a blessing to you. Now let’s jump into today’s episode.

SHOW NOTES: www.themorning.com/blog/episode100

SPECIAL THANKS TO: Meg Walker & Mary Margaret Powitz for their constant encouragement and wisdom in this endeavor. I love you ladies and wouldn't have gotten to 100 episodes without you.