What started out as an average winter morning ended up being one that would change everything in Melissa Pierce's life. She went to wake up her husband Dave for their son's basketball game and found him unresponsive. Dave had died during the night and the cause of death was never determined. Melissa jumped into figuring out logistics - planning a memorial, getting her sons to school, moving their family, working a full-time job - but eventually she had to figure out herself. It meant focusing on what she was thinking, feeling, and needing in her grief. That shift to prioritizing self-care ended up changing everything, again.
We discuss
How Melissa and Dave met and fell in love
The process of adopting their two sons
How the shock of Dave’s sudden death led to what Melissa calls “Zombie mode”
Being the person who found Dave when he died and how that impacted her grief
Grieving when the cause of death is undetermined
The financial, logistical, and emotional reality of being a solo parent
Having to tell her sons that their dad died
When Melissa started to feel her feelings in grief
The physical toll of grief
Where Melissa turned for support
How prioritizing self-care changed everything
The origin story of the Widow Squad community
Melissa is the author of Filled With Gold: A Widow’s Story, co-founder of The Widow Squad community, and co-host of The Widow Squad podcast.
Listen to The Widow Squad podcast Episode 41- Holidays and Grief: Strategies to Get Through the Holidays After Your Spouse Dies.
Ep. 52: Grieving The Death Of A Partner As A Young Adult
Ep. 51: Anger & Grief - Megan Devine
Ep. 50: Grieving The Death Of A Best Friend As A Teen
Ep. 49: Everyday Grief Rituals & Routines - Jodie Brauer
Ep. 48: Grief Dreams - Joshua Black
Ep. 47: What We Talk About When We Talk About Death
Ep. 46: Children And Memorial Services - Holly Pruett
Ep. 45: Supporting Grieving Kids With Mindfulness - Tips For Teachers & Parents
Ep. 44: Redefining Comfort Food - Dr. Drew Ramsey
Ep. 43: An Only Child, Grieving Her Only Parent - Rachel Ricketts
Ep. 42: Secrets & Grief
Ep. 41: Grieving An Overdose (Part 3 of 3) - A Teen's Perspective
Ep. 40: Grieving An Overdose Death (Part 2 of 3) - The Loss Of A Child
Ep. 39: Grieving An Overdose (Part 1 of 3) - The Death Of A Brother
Ep. 38: What Helps When You're Grieving - Ideas For Body, Mind, and Spirit
Ep. 37: How To Help Children And Teens Grieving A Violent Death
Ep. 36: Grieving My Dad - A Son's Story
Ep. 35: After A Death - 5 Tips For Schools
Ep. 34: The Thing I Never Thought I'd Do Again
Ep. 33: The Importance Of Honesty - Talking With Children About Death
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