326 | Messy Mourning (Part One) with Jackie Baker

Every child has a story that is so much bigger than the way their life ended. In this first half of my conversation with Jackie Baker, author of *Messy Mourning: Hope for Mothers Grieving the Loss of a Child by Suicide*, Jackie introduces us to her son Sebastian—a bright, curious, athletic, artistic young man who was deeply loved. She also shares about the struggles he faced and the journey her family walked before his death by suicide nearly nine years ago. Jackie speaks honestly about those early days of grief and the long process of learning to live again. We talk about some of the unique questions and emotions that can accompany suicide loss, the importance of remembering our children for far more than the way they died, and the impact child loss can have on a marriage. We also discuss the stigma that can surround suicide in the church and why our churches need to be safe places where grieving families are met with compassion, grace, and the hope of Jesus. **In this episode, we discuss:** - Sebastian’s life and the struggles he faced - The unique challenges of suicide loss - Remembering our children for how they lived, not simply how they died - Grief and its impact on marriage - Suicide, stigma, and the church - Finding hope in Jesus in the midst of devastating loss This is Part One of my two-part conversation with Jackie Baker. Be sure to join us next week for Part Two!    You can learn more about Jackie, connect with her writing on Substack, and find links to her social media through her website, linked HERE. You’ll find information about her book, *Messy Mourning: Hope for Mothers Grieving the Loss of a Child by Suicide* on her website as well.    I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message! ~Jill \** IMPORTANT\** - All views expressed by guests on this podcast are theirs alone, and may not represent the Statement of Faith and Statement of Beliefs of the While We're Waiting ministry.  We'd love for you to connect with us here at While We're Waiting! Click HERE to visit our website and learn about our free While We're Waiting Weekends for bereaved parents Click HERE to learn more about our network of While We're Waiting support groups all across the country. Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channel Click HERE to follow our public Facebook page Click HERE to follow us on Instagram Click HERE to follow us on Twitter Click HERE to make a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministry Contact Jill by email at:  jill@whilewerewaiting.org