Episode 20: The Grief of Dads

 

"Then his father said, 'Son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.'" Luke 15:31

In this episode, Kelly & Elizabeth welcome Ryan Breuax & Patrick O’Hearn, co-authors of the book The Grief of Dads, along with Kelly Breaux & Brian Feger. We discuss the grief experienced by fathers who have lost children and the challenges they face in navigating their grief. The conversation touches on topics such as the differences in grieving between men and women, the impact of child loss on marriages, and the difficulty of Father's Day for those who have lost children. The conversation highlights the importance of communication, compassion, and seeking help in the grieving process. Join us to hear from two fathers who know the agonizing grief of losing a child.  We pray this conversation blesses you. 

Takeaways include: 

  • Fathers grieve deeply but may hide their grief, leading to feelings of isolation.

  • Child loss can strain marriages, and support from the church is crucial.

  • Father's Day can be bittersweet for fathers who have lost children.

  • Grief can manifest differently in men and women, and it is important to understand and respect each other's unique grieving processes.

  • Communication is crucial in navigating grief within a marriage. Sharing emotions, experiences, and seeking support can help strengthen the relationship.

  • Finding meaning and purpose in grief can lead to personal growth and a deeper connection with faith.

"As men, we're good at hiding our grief." - Ryan Breaux

"As men & women, we communicate differently, we process differently and therefore ultimately we will grieve differently." - Kelly Breaux 


You can find The Grief of Dads and The Nursery of Heaven through our book resources here.

Elizabeth Leon

Elizabeth Leon is the Director of Family Support for Red Bird Ministries. She and her husband Ralph are from Ashburn, Virginia and have ten children between them - five of hers, four of his, and their son, John Paul Raphael who died on January 5, 2018. His short and shining life was a sacred experience that transformed her heart and left a message of love for the world: let yourself be loved. She writes about finding the Lord in the darkness of grief in her book Let Yourself Be Loved: Big Lessons from a Little Life, available wherever books are sold. Read more from Elizabeth at www.letyourselfbeloved.com.

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Episode 21: Missing You, Missing Me

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Episode 19: The Tasks of Mourning