Summary: You’re listening to The Joyful Mourning Podcast Episode #59. Throughout November I have had the privilege of talking with mamas specifically about what it looked like to navigate the holiday season while grieving. The past three episodes have been incredibly helpful and relatable and if you haven’t gotten a chance to listen to those yet I would highly recommend it. In this week’s episode I am interviewing Lauren Woo about her experience with miscarriage and stillbirth and navigating the holidays while grieving the loss of her baby. Her insight is full of very practical thoughts about navigating family expectations and potential triggers and she shares incredibly helpful advice about what it looks like to love a grieving mom through the holidays. Lauren shares her favorite traditions and wisdom about how to find joy even when it feels impossible. And to the mom with no living children she says the most profound and grace-filled sentiment that is so true. She says these impactful words: “Being a mom of a baby that’s not here on earth is a very special kind of mom and it’s not a mom that everybody gets to see; and you have to get creative with how you are that kind of mom because it’s different than what you picture a mom being. But you are still a mom.” Friend. You are still a mom. And though it will look differently this holiday season than what you ever pictured, it doesn’t make your role as a mom or your baby’s life any less valid or real. I pray you know that to be true. *TRIGGER WARNING* Also, I want to let you know that there are a few moments within this episode when you can hear Lauren’s baby boy Arrow making sweet little baby noises. I did my best to edit the episode in a way that eliminated that potential hurtful trigger but just in case I wanted to give you the warning that it is there. I hope you know my heart and that I would never intentionally want to add to your hurt. -- FREE CHRISTMAS DAILY DEVOTIONAL I created the simplest and most manageable Christmas Daily Devotional for you that is FREE. To be the first to know when this free helpful tool is available head to www.themorning.com/christmas. Sign up there and as soon as the daily devotional is ready, you will get an email with all the details. --- SHOW NOTES: www.themorning.com/listen THE JOYFUL MOURNING COMMUNITY: www.thejoyfulmourningcommunity.com GIFT SHOP FOR GRIEVING MOTHERS: www.themorning.com/giftshop THE JOYFUL MORNING INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/thejoyfulmorning
