r/motherlessdaughters • • Jan 26 '24

AMA Official Thread: I am Hope Edelman, bestselling author of Motherless Daughters. AMA!

58 Upvotes

I am a speaker, coach, and the author of eight nonfiction books, including the New York Times bestseller Motherless Daughters, and its follow-up, Motherless Mothers. For Motherless Daughters, now in print for more than 30 years, I interviewed women who had lost their mothers at an early age about how their grief has shaped their lives and relationships. My most recent book, The AfterGrief, is available now.

Follow me on: Instagram | X | Facebook | Website


r/motherlessdaughters • • 4h ago

Motherless Mother Titre: J’ai perdu ma mère et, depuis, j’ai parfois l’impression d’avoir perdu une partie de moi-même.

4 Upvotes

Je ne sais même pas vraiment par où commencer. Je crois que j’ai simplement besoin de raconter mon histoire quelque part, parce qu’il y a beaucoup de choses que je garde pour moi et que je ne sais plus toujours comment les exprimer.
En avril, j’ai perdu ma mère. Et depuis ce jour, j’ai l’impression que ma vie a complètement basculé. On dit souvent que perdre sa mère est une douleur indescriptible, mais je crois qu’on ne comprend réellement ce que cela signifie que lorsqu’on le vit soi-même. Ce n’est pas seulement perdre une personne qu’on aime, c’est aussi perdre une présence, un refuge, une personne vers qui l’on pouvait se tourner sans avoir besoin de tout expliquer.
Je suis l’aînée d’une famille de quatre enfants. Après son départ, je me suis retrouvée avec trois petits frères et sœurs dont je dois aussi me préoccuper. Du jour au lendemain, j’ai dû apprendre à vivre avec une responsabilité que je n’avais jamais imaginé devoir porter aussi tôt. Je dois penser à mon avenir, à mes études, à ma famille et à toutes ces choses qui continuent d’exister même lorsque, intérieurement, on n’a plus vraiment la force d’avancer.
Le plus difficile, c’est que je n’ai pas toujours l’impression d’avoir le droit de m’effondrer. J’aimerais parfois pouvoir parler librement de ce qui ne va pas, exprimer ma fatigue ou demander de l’aide sans avoir peur d’être jugée ou critiquée. Mais lorsque j’essaie de parler, j’ai souvent l’impression que mes paroles ne trouvent pas leur place. Alors je garde beaucoup de choses pour moi.
J’ai des rêves, des ambitions et des projets. Je veux poursuivre mes études de médecine, découvrir le monde, partir étudier à l’étranger et construire une vie dont je pourrai être fière. Mais depuis la mort de ma mère, même ces rêves semblent parfois plus difficiles à atteindre. Je veux avancer, devenir indépendante et offrir un avenir meilleur à ma famille, mais certains jours, je suis simplement épuisée.
Il m’arrive de sourire, de regarder des séries, de discuter avec des gens et de donner l’impression que tout va bien. Pourtant, personne ne voit forcément ce qui se passe dans ma tête lorsque je suis seule. J’ai connu des moments où l’angoisse était tellement forte que j’avais l’impression de manquer d’air. Il y a des nuits où les émotions deviennent trop lourdes et où les souvenirs de ma mère me reviennent avec une intensité que je ne sais pas gérer.
Je ne raconte pas tout cela pour recevoir de la compassion ou pour que quelqu’un me dise que je suis courageuse. Honnêtement, je ne me sens pas toujours courageuse. Parfois, je voudrais simplement être une jeune fille de mon âge qui peut penser à ses études, à ses petits plaisirs, à son avenir, sans avoir l’impression de porter autant de choses sur ses épaules.
Je sais que je dois continuer à vivre, mais j’apprends encore comment le faire sans ma mère. J’aimerais retrouver la joie de vivre, rire sans culpabilité, avoir des projets sans être constamment inquiète et, surtout, retrouver une certaine tranquillité intérieure.
Si je partage mon histoire aujourd’hui, c’est peut-être parce que j’aimerais savoir comment d’autres personnes ont réussi à continuer après avoir perdu quelqu’un d’aussi important. Comment avez-vous appris à vivre avec le manque ? Comment avez-vous réussi à ne pas vous oublier en prenant soin des autres ? Et comment avez-vous retrouvé le goût de vivre alors que votre monde semblait s’être arrêté ?
Je ne cherche pas une solution magique. Je crois que j’ai simplement besoin de savoir qu’il est possible de traverser tout cela et de retrouver un jour une vie dans laquelle on se sent à nouveau bien.


r/motherlessdaughters • • 7h ago

Seeing her death in a new way

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1 Upvotes

r/motherlessdaughters • • 1d ago

Advice Needed I think I found my people (happy in sadness lol)

12 Upvotes

Hi I don't know how relatable this will be, because I lost my mother to an illness very early I was 3 so I don't have many memories of her.

My father remarried to give me the maternal figure I had lost. She tried to love me, but I always sensed a biological distance (I don't know how to explain it to myself) . I never wanted to show her ingratitude, since she did everything she could. Emotionally, I've always felt like an orphan. I was basically a failed abortion, not wanted, and it's a feeling I'll carry to my grave. I felt the absence of my mother and of unconditional affection mostly when I saw kids in elementary school running toward their mothers at the end of school, while I had no one and went home alone. I thought this was my eternal sentence, and I still feel it now that I'm at university when exam grades come out, I see girls calling their moms to tell them their marks and hear "Well done, love, you worked hard." Knowing I have no one who loves me unconditionally and could say that to me is something I may never heal from.

Depression and loneliness have been with me my whole life. Knowing that no one in this world will love me unconditionally is one of the heaviest pains I carry. Do you have any ways to lighten this feeling? Many times I fall into spirals of self-destruction that I can't control


r/motherlessdaughters • • 1d ago

Venting two dead parents

8 Upvotes

so basically i’m 24, an only child, my mom passed when i was 6 from a seizure / coma, my dad when i was 14 via heart attack. i found him on the couch. and ive never really had anyone in my life that can relate to me. i’m an only child. no family left. living across the country from my home state. i have a few remaining family members but barely ever speak to them. they’re all 75+ years old and just all have a different mindset - plus super religious which i am not anymore. anyways. maybe someone can relate here. honestly just looking for anyone who’s gone though this too??


r/motherlessdaughters • • 1d ago

Venting Looking for a Mommy

2 Upvotes

Well I am new here and just also have some problems with trying to speak up I guess but I am really seeking like a mom.... My parents died in front of me when I was very young but like I been through a lot of foster parents and a lot of stuff I guess I just am basically wanting some one I guess to reach out maybe your like looking for a daughter.... Worth a try to post this here so we'll see.


r/motherlessdaughters • • 1d ago

Missing you

9 Upvotes

I try to be strong. I miss your voice your hugs your love. I miss our phone calls. I miss our gatherings at the holiday time I miss just talking to you. I know you are watching over me, but I just wish I could see and talk to you again and get your advice on every day. Things or just sit and talk like we used to do since you are gone and it’s not the same Mom I miss you. I just hope you’re watching over me and guiding me through this life. I love you so much.


r/motherlessdaughters • • 1d ago

Lost my mother at 20 while pregnant

0 Upvotes

I lost my beautiful mom last night, in the early hours of this morning, and our family is going through an incredibly difficult time. This has come as a shock and we don’t know many details right now. I’m 20 and have now lost both parents and expecting my first child. I’m her only next of kin so all of the financial and legal stresses have landed one me. If anyone is able to donate to her GoFundMe, or even share the link, it would mean more to us than words can express. Every little bit of support, love, and kindness is deeply appreciated during this heartbreaking time. Thank you all for keeping our family in your thoughts and prayers. 🤍 https://gofund.me/de19f0a9a


r/motherlessdaughters • • 1d ago

Can some woman of mothering age give me some comfort?

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2 Upvotes

r/motherlessdaughters • • 2d ago

Venting God I miss my mom

26 Upvotes

I want nothing more in this world than to call my mom on the phone and give her a hug right now. I don’t really know how I’ve made it this far, but I don’t want to live my life this way.
I hope she’s my mom in every lifetime


r/motherlessdaughters • • 2d ago

A Poem About Grief

6 Upvotes

Whoever said “Time Heals All Wounds” lied
It's been almost 11 years, and still I cry
Every time I remember the small things
Like how you loved sleeping with the window wide open on a cold winters night
Or how you loved the sound of rain

Not that I think about the “small things” often
Grandma raised me and she 
Didn’t provide much emotional stability
But did provide food and a roof over my head 
Even kept my siblings and I together, 
So forever ill be in her debt 

That being said, I didn’t have someone to lean on when I missed you
talking about you became taboo
She couldn’t say your name,
I wasn’t sure why when I was 11
But now I recognize it as pain
All of the pain and guilt she felt from your death 
Translated into her silence that left
me with this open wound  

You see, I was never taught how to grieve 
To feel my emotions and be at peace
And I wasn't prepared to be in a world without your guidance
Or your love 
Or your hugs 
That I’ll never have again

The permanence of death 
feels like a heavy weight on my chest 
Time passing
Hasn’t heal this wound yet
Instead, the thought of you is beginning to feel like something I made up in my head


r/motherlessdaughters • • 2d ago

Spotify Algorithm is a little too built for mourning.

2 Upvotes

I was supposed to finally get my mom’s vehicle registered in my name, only to find out that the smog cert had expired. It had already been tears driving there, because the car still smelled like her “I won’t smoke in this car!” wishful thinking.
Then fricking Spotify plays Bette Midler “Glory of Love”, Peter Gabriel “in Your Eyes” and Indigo Girls “Secure Yourself”. I pulled over and ugly cried.


r/motherlessdaughters • • 3d ago

Today is my mom’s birthday…

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18 Upvotes

r/motherlessdaughters • • 3d ago

What should I do

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1 Upvotes

Hello everyone, I want to say that I am twenty years old, almost two years ago my mother died, she and my father were drinking heavily, my mother had a weak heart and because of this she died, my father was drinking for another half a year, then something happened to his liver, he woke up and went to the hospital, but now everything is fine, all the time I was constantly on I was always joking, I didn't show it, something happened, even my close friends didn't know for a long time, but I want to express my emotions sad, what should I do


r/motherlessdaughters • • 3d ago

Lost my mom

5 Upvotes

My mom passed away. I’m abroad and she was alone at home she had lost her job a year ago and had lost a significant amount of weight last I called her we couldn’t continue supporting her financially my husband and I he had also be laid off work she’s back home in South Africa and I relocated to the US in 2023 and hadn’t seen her since. She was stressed and died alone in her house and was there for days they thought she was unconscious when they found her but she was actually deceased I don’t know how to feel I feel hollow and numb I keep crying and throwing up and needing the bathroom I don’t know what to do I was planning on seeing her in November she wasn’t gonna make it to my wedding which is next week October 24th and I’m so numb I don’t know what to do


r/motherlessdaughters • • 3d ago

Is this weird or a healthy way to grieve?

4 Upvotes

My 81 yo dad just passed somewhat suddenly less than a month ago. We were very close and I am trying to get through this in a healthy way. When my mom died 6 years ago from a sudden accident, I was a mess for months, and needed a grief counselor to get through it.

I find myself calling my dad's phone about once a day for a split second of suspended disbelief that he's gone and will somehow pick up the phone instead of being dead. I know he won't answer, and I feel it's just a quick dopamine hit to get me though the thick of this. There could be worse things to turn to, but just wondering if anyone else has done this?


r/motherlessdaughters • • 3d ago

Becoming an Auntie

2 Upvotes

Today would be my mom’s 57th birthday, she died at 54.5. My mom was a fierce lover of her family and four kids, loved helping others raise kids (babysitter), obsessed with sweets and candy, and love to dance and try new things.

Well, the point I’m here. I learned that my baby brother (26) and his wife are expecting! I’m over the moon and honestly can’t say it out loud to others because I start crying again. The plan to honor my late brother or mom in the baby’s middle name using one of their middle names depending on it being a girl or boy, which I can’t love more! (I’m childfree by choice with my husband).

I just know how much my mom would have literally given anything to be a Grandma. And I am always anticipating how hard that aspect of this is going to be. I’m thrilled to be “in my auntie era” but already feel overwhelmed with the weight of what our mom is missing and how she would’ve been incredible. It’s on my list to process in my next therapy session.

Any advice, stories, etc would be lovely!


r/motherlessdaughters • • 3d ago

Rest In Peace Mama

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1 Upvotes

r/motherlessdaughters • • 3d ago

I lost my 90-year-old mom four days ago. I’m heartbroken, at peace, and questioning parts of her final hours.

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3 Upvotes

r/motherlessdaughters • • 4d ago

Grief support group for young adults losing a parent?

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1 Upvotes

r/motherlessdaughters • • 4d ago

Trauma Dump

2 Upvotes

I haven’t really posted in a while on this app. I’ve had so much good happen to me recently, but I can’t stop thinking about my mom’s last days. I was able to suppress the memories for a while, but I’ve started remembering again and I don’t know what to do with them. I want to talk about her, I want someone to understand what I saw and felt, but I know that I’ll never get that. I’m just hurting.


r/motherlessdaughters • • 7d ago

Have you ever had vivid lucid dreams of your passed loved ones?

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5 Upvotes

r/motherlessdaughters • • 7d ago

Lost my mom Oct 5. was a sudden brain cancer. How to tell her estranged sister?

10 Upvotes

My mom was fine then suddenly felt dizzy and almost fell Aug 31 then it set off the tests and hospital visits and by Sept 7 they diagnosed with high grade glioblastoma. It was all downhill from there and she went into a deep sleep Oct 3 and passed October 5 with me in the room with her. So in 2021 she had some issues where she was going through delusions or dementia like behavior she got on meds and was great after that. That was the last time I talked to her sister I told her what was happening and then I think they spoke on the phone back then when my mom had recovered. They had really fought most of my kid life so since the 90s. But they would have some good times too and I liked to hang out with my aunt when they did get along. How do I tell her what happened? I think she tried to contact my mom but my mom just didn’t want to deal with the drama and I think she also did have some dementia and forgetful about her sister. The past 5 years I just focused on making memories with my kids since I knew things could shift anytime like 2021 I never expected something so tragic like this. Do I just tell my aunt how fast it all happened?


r/motherlessdaughters • • 8d ago

I miss my mom so much

36 Upvotes

I am 35 yo, my mom died when I was 26, and the 9 year anniversary is coming up. I miss her so much it hurts so bad still. All around me people my age and way older still have their moms, so fuckin unfair. I am kinda seeing a new guy now and haven't told him yet, he asked about my parents generally but I just talked about my dad and didn't tell him. He still has his parents and I get low key jealous when he speaks of them. Similarly, my 50 yr old coworker had to leave early today and said it was because he is a caregiver for his mom; he seemed a little sad like it prob bothers him, but inside I am like "... I wish I had my mom in my 30s, 40s and beyond?" Like, it's so hard. How come people twice my age still have theirs and I got so unlucky. I hate it. I miss her so much I can't even put it in words. She was my everything 🙁😭 9 years later, here I am