Forever a Daughter: Reflections on Grief, Growth, and Motherless Daughters

When I was 24, my mother passed away, and someone placed a book in my hands that would become a lifelong companion: Motherless Daughters by Hope Edelman. It gave me language for my grief, a mirror to see myself in, and a lifeline to healing.

This solo episode reflects on that journey—how grief has evolved over 30 years, how my mother’s presence continues through music and memory, and how unexpected relationships (like Katie, my father’s wife) can become part of our healing when we let love in.

Drawing connections to previous episodes—especially with Katie (Episode #9) and her dad, “Pop” (Episode #10, Part One & Episode #11, Part Two)—this reflection also celebrates the beautiful complexity of finding maternal love again in new places and people.

🎙️ In this episode, I reflect on:

  • Losing my mom at 24 and the book that shaped my healing

  • How grief evolves into growth, but that it never disappears

  • The music that still connects me to her presence

  • Finding love and trust with my stepmom, Katie

  • The “memory boxes” our mom left behind—and how they mothered us

  • Why once you’re a daughter, you are always a daughter…

This is more than an episode—it’s a love letter to every woman navigating grief and growth after mother loss. For those who’ve had to keep going without their mom, this conversation reminds us: you are not alone.

Whether you’ve lost your mother—or someone who filled that role—this episode offers warmth, reflection, and hope. If someone mothered you, reach out. Say thank you. Be still in their memory. And remember that their legacy continues through you. 💗

"There is no substitute for a mother’s love—but there are ways to let that love live on." ~ Hope Edelman


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💗 From Our Hearts to Yours…

“Hearing the stories of others helps us create a more meaningful connection to our own—because legacy isn’t just what we leave behind, it’s how we live right now.”

The P-I-G is a heartfelt, purpose-driven podcast exploring life, love, loss, and legacy through raw, real, and resonant conversations with everyday people and extraordinary guests. Together, we unpack the moments that shape us—the stories we carry, the messiness of being human, and what it means to leave something meaningful behind.

Each episode invites us to:

  • Honor what matters most

  • Remember that grief isn’t linear

  • Navigate life’s hardest moments with PURPOSE, INTENTION, and GRATITUDE

  • And to be reminded that legacy isn’t just what we leave… it’s how we live—right now.

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The P-I-G: Episode 13