Holding the Light Monica and Colby Charette

Four words a parent never wants to hear: your child has cancer. How would you talk with your 11-year old child about his own mortality? We wondered, when you anticipate your child's death, when does the grief journey actually begin? Amber Poulin answers these questions and more, as she bravely shares her story, and the lifetime of love she will continue to have for her son, Jayden, since his passing from brain cancer two years ago. It’s an inspiring story of one mother’s quest to ensure her courageous son is never forgotten.   

For more information about supporting children facing cancer who have beloved pets at home, visit Jayden's Warrior Pack Charity to apply for assistance, or make a donation.

Holding the Light is an original, twice-monthly podcast  (look for us the 1st and 15th of every month) created and hosted by Monica and Colby Charette, and produced by Julia Vigue and Sophia Speeckaert.  EMAIL US (shineoncass@gmail.com) with questions, comments, or a request to join us as a guest. We also welcome you to visit us at ShineOnCass  (www.shineoncass.org) where our family continues to Shine the Light of Cassidy.

Our podcast’s theme music is  As Long As You Love (Scarlet Wings) written and sung by Cindy Bullens, from the album Somewhere Between Heaven and Earth produced by Blue Lobster Records (1999).

The holidays are especially challenging for grieving families.  Colby and I were honored to talk with Mark Jose, a professional grief counselor, longtime Hospice volunteer, and grief support group facilitator.  In this episode, Mark helps shatter the myths of holiday grief, shares suggestions for surviving,  as well as the greatest lesson he has learned about just how strong and powerful grief really is. We hope something you hear helps you, or the grieving heart of someone you love.

Grief support groups are available in many local communities through Hospice Volunteers. For local families in central Maine, visit Hospice Volunteers of Waterville Area.

The 2022 Light the Night Blue Christmas Ceremony in Oakland, ME mentioned in this podcast, will be held Dec.  21st (Winter Solstice) at 6 pm. FMI visit the ShineOnCass Blue Christmas website page .

Holding the Light is an original, twice-monthly podcast  (look for us the 1st and 15th of every month) created and hosted by Monica and Colby Charette, and produced by Julia Vigue and Sophia Speeckaert.  EMAIL US (shineoncass@gmail.com) with questions, comments, or a request to join us as a guest. We also welcome you to visit us at ShineOnCass  (www.shineoncass.org) where our family continues to Shine the Light of Cassidy.

Our podcast’s theme music is  As Long As You Love (Scarlet Wings) written and sung by Cindy Bullens, from the album Somewhere Between Heaven and Earth produced by Blue Lobster Records (1999).

If you tuned into our most recent podcast, you had the opportunity to meet Amanda Garay, who bravely shared the loss of her younger brother Chris, to suicide. This week, we are joined by Amanda’s and Chris's Mom, Cathy Langlais, who says, the only thing that comes close to the pain of hearing about the loss of her only son, was having to tell her only daughter. In this very personal interview, Cathy reflects upon the last seven years since Christopher’s passing, the changes she has made in her life, and the special bond she now has with her daughter, Amanda.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 9-8-8.
Hospice Volunteers of Waterville Area: hvwa.org.
Camp Kita, a tuition-free summer bereavement camp in Maine, for children ages 8-17, who are survivors of a loved-one's suicide:  campkita.com.
Christopher Langlais Golf Tournament: langlais27@hotmail.com.

Holding the Light is an original, twice-monthly podcast  (look for us the 1st and 15th of every month) created and hosted by Monica and Colby Charette, and produced by Julia Vigue and Sophia Speeckaert.  EMAIL US (shineoncass@gmail.com) with questions, comments, or a request to join us as a guest. We also welcome you to visit us at ShineOnCass  (www.shineoncass.org) where our family continues to Shine the Light of Cassidy.

Our podcast’s theme music is  As Long As You Love (Scarlet Wings) written and sung by Cindy Bullens, from the album Somewhere Between Heaven and Earth produced by Blue Lobster Records (1999).

Siblings are your first friends, the keeper of your earliest childhood memories, the people you expect and plan to be part of your future. In this week’s podcast, Amanda Garay shares her deep love, and the lifelong grief she now bears after her younger brother Christopher died by suicide 7 years ago. Chris, she says, was the perfect example of how "everything seemed perfect”-- all part of an important message she wants to share with others. You will be captivated by Amanda’s story of perseverance, and you’ll be inspired by her commitment to help others whose lives have been impacted by suicide.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 9-8-8.
To learn more about bereavement support through Hospice Volunteers of Waterville Area, visit hvwa.org. Information about Camp Kita, a tuition-free summer bereavement camp in Maine, for children ages 8-17, who are survivors of a loved-one's suicide, can be found at campkita.com. To participate or sponsor the Christopher Langlais Golf Tournament, email langlais27@hotmail.com.

Holding the Light is an original, twice-monthly podcast  (look for us the 1st and 15th of every month) created and hosted by Monica and Colby Charette, and produced by Julia Vigue and Sophia Speeckaert.  EMAIL US (shineoncass@gmail.com) with questions, comments, or a request to join us as a guest. We also welcome you to visit us at ShineOnCass  (www.shineoncass.org) where our family continues to Shine the Light of Cassidy.

Our podcast’s theme music is  As Long As You Love (Scarlet Wings) written and sung by Cindy Bullens, from the album Somewhere Between Heaven and Earth produced by Blue Lobster Records (1999).

What is the grief season? For parents of child loss, it is often the days, weeks and months that surround the date their child died There is a distinct, time leading up to the moments of before, and the painful realization following the after. We walk beside grief every single day, but there is something so palpably different when your body and mind pass through that sacred space of time every year. As we near October 11th, on the eighth year marking the passing of Cassidy, I am here to share what I have learned about my own season of grief.

Holding the Light is an original, twice-monthly podcast  (look for us the 1st and 15th of every month) created and hosted by Monica and Colby Charette, and produced by Julia Vigue and Sophia Speeckaert.  EMAIL US (shineoncass@gmail.com) with questions, comments, or a request to join us as a guest. We also welcome you to visit us at ShineOnCass  (www.shineoncass.org) where our family continues to Shine the Light of Cassidy.

Our podcast’s theme music is  As Long As You Love (Scarlet Wings) written and sung by Cindy Bullens, from the album Somewhere Between Heaven and Earth produced by Blue Lobster Records (1999).

Imagine, for a moment, rushing to a hospital after learning your child has been in an accident, only to discover that there is no chance of survival. Helen Beesley has lived this nightmare, and shares the decision her family made to allow her 22-year-old daughter Candace to become an organ donor. Seventeen years later, Helen now shares her grief journey with us, which includes  honoring her daughter's legacy of giving, as it continues eternally through her final gift of life.  

Holding the Light is an original, twice-monthly podcast  (look for us the 1st and 15th of every month) created and hosted by Monica and Colby Charette, and produced by Julia Vigue and Sophia Speeckaert.  EMAIL US (shineoncass@gmail.com) with questions, comments, or a request to join us as a guest. We also welcome you to visit us at ShineOnCass  (www.shineoncass.org) where our family continues to Shine the Light of Cassidy.

Our podcast’s theme music is  As Long As You Love (Scarlet Wings) written and sung by Cindy Bullens, from the album Somewhere Between Heaven and Earth produced by Blue Lobster Records (1999).