What I Never Understood Until I Lost My Mother

When a mother dies, a daughter’s mourning never completely ends.        ~ Hope Edelman

A reader writes: Today I visited your site for the first time, and I have decided to share something I wrote with you. This fall I lost my mother less than a week before my son's wedding. I have been grieving both my empty nest (all three of my adult children have moved on with their lives) and the loss of my mother. Each time I feel lonely or sad because my children have grown and left the nest, I feel deep pain for having caused my mother the same grief. Relationships with parents are complicated: expectations, irritations, personality quirks, being a 47-year-old daughter, and all the rest. Along with the emotional connectedness we shared, my grief also includes the loss of my mother as a friend.

Understanding and Managing Grief, May 14 - May 20, 2023

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Grief can blindside us at otherwise ordinary moments. Grief is an invisible wound because all our pain is internal. Sharing these experiences can help educate others about grief. How Your Pain Helps Teach The World « Psychology Today

Understanding and Managing Grief, May 6 - May 12, 2018

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

The ever creative and wise @stacylondon has thoughts on repurposing and reinterpreting items left behind by loved ones. Read them and then rock something inherited as your own. Trust us; it’ll feel good. http://bit.ly/2KSUyM0 « Modern Loss

The Milestone Cipher, http://j.mp/2KSlPOH « Bryan C. Taylor

The Silver Lining, http://j.mp/2G3hvZ6 « Second Firsts

Understanding and Managing Grief, May 7 - May 13, 2017

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Remembering My Mom on Mother's Day, http://j.mp/JTwqmc « Grief Healing

A Hidden Grief on Mother's Day, http://bit.ly/2qd5Y5y « ACS Technologies Ministry Impact

Sharing Stories About Loss and Grief, http://bit.ly/2pJ7BVa « Canadian Virtual Hospice

In Grief: Daughters Mourning Mothers

A reader writes: Today I visited your site for the first time and I have decided to share something I wrote with you. This fall I lost my mother less than a week before my son's wedding. I have been grieving for both my empty nest (3 adult children have moved on with their lives) along with the loss of my mother. Each time I feel lonely or sad because my kids have grown and left the nest, I feel deep pain for having caused my mother the same grief. Relationships with parents are complicated; expectations, irritations, personality quirks, being a 47 year old daughter, etc. Along with the emotional connectedness we had with one another, my grief includes loss for my mother as a friend.

And for her support and constant love that was available whenever I felt the need and which I most definitely undervalued. She was there to call, from Illinois to California, just to chat, connect, share trivia about my kids or grandchild or find a recipe. Anyway, I write to you to thank you for your thoughtful site. And also to send a poem. I wrote this with one of my sisters in my mind and heart. Her loving eyes, mirroring her feelings of loss, and how I feel experiencing my own
emotion of loss:  Read on here >>>

Understanding and Managing Grief, May 11 - May 17, 2014

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Reflections on 'Mother,' http://j.mp/1nSxUVd « What's Your Grief?

The Challenges of Raising Children after the Death of a Child, http://j.mp/1lwN24r « Alive in Memory

I Lost My Daughter and I Lost Hope, Until I Faced My Grief, http://j.mp/1gIAR35 « Everyday Health

When Mother’s Day Hurts: Selected Resources

Source

[Reviewed and updated May 17, 2026]

God could not be everywhere, and therefore He made mothers ~ Rudyard Kipling

While it may be a special day for many, Mother's Day is a holiday that challenges the endurance of motherless children, as well as mothers and grandmothers whose children or grandchildren have died. Below is a collection of articles offering insights, comfort and support, as well as various ways to cope. Click on the titles to read more: