Episode 32: Children’s Grief Awareness Day: Holding On to Hope and Honoring Uncle Avery
In this deeply personal episode of Living in 3D Power, Emma and I process grief in real time following the passing of my brother — and Emma’s Uncle Avery — just three weeks earlier. Together, we honor Children’s Grief Awareness Day by opening a tender and courageous conversation about loss, memory, and the ways both children and adults can navigate grief in healthy, connected, and communal ways.
I share about the Highmark Caring Place and how it supports grieving children and families, while Emma offers her own reflections on what it’s like to balance sadness with school, friendship, and everyday life. Through our honest dialogue, laughter, and love, we remind our listeners that grief is not something to “get over” — it’s something we move through, together.
Chapters
02:00 — Naming the Loss
Amber shares about the sudden passing of her brother, Avery, and how their family has been navigating grief as both individuals and a community.
04:00 — Finding Support
Amber discusses the Highmark Caring Place, a Pennsylvania-based resource for grieving children and families, and the importance of creating community around loss.
06:00 — Emma’s Experience with Grief
Emma opens up about how grief shows up at school — from moments of blankness to the small joys of lunch and recess — and the comfort she’s found in her school counselor and her “squishy” named Bob.
10:00 — Healing in Family and Connection
Amber and Emma talk about the importance of family time, togetherness, and joy even in the midst of pain. Emma shares how visiting her grandfather and baby cousin brings her peace.
13:00 — Remembering Avery
Amber reflects on her brother’s larger-than-life personality — his humor, honesty, and love of fashion, food, and family — and how the family honored him through a beautiful celebration of life.
19:00 — Children’s Grief Awareness Day
Amber and Emma participate in the “Holding On to Hope” activity, reading their reflections on how they’ll continue to honor Avery’s memory and the legacy he left behind.
26:00 — Talking About Grief with Children
Amber emphasizes that grief should not be hidden from children, encouraging families to model emotional honesty and to “grieve how you must, but grieve well.”
34:00 — Lessons from the Eulogy
Amber shares excerpts from Pastor Trey’s eulogy, reminding listeners that grief is not proof of God’s absence but evidence of love — and that hope can live longer than hurt.
40:00 — Continuing the Legacy
They reflect on how stories, photos, videos, and traditions keep loved ones alive — like in the movie Coco — and how the family will continue to share Avery’s laughter, music, and love across generations.
Resources Mentioned
Children’s Grief Awareness Day Website
Grief and the Holidays by Highmark Caring Place
Addressing Grief by National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
Coco: A Story of Legacy and Tradition PDF
Coco: A Story of Identity and. Family PDF
Onward: Wishes, Bonds, & Memories After the Death of a Parent PDF
Clips of Pastor Trey DuPont’s Eulogy
Living in 3D Power YouTube Channel with Shorts
Previous Posts and Podcasts on Grief
Sundays in 3D: Writing My Brother’s Obituary in Community (Nov. 2, 2025)
Episode 29: The Joy of Remembrance: Honoring Our Ancestors and Celebrating Life (Oct. 7, 2025)
Sundays in 3D: No More Delaying the Dream (Jul 20, 2025)
Sundays in 3D: When Grief Feels Heavy, Let it Move You (June 29, 2025)
Centering Liberation at 44: The Art of Rewriting My Story of Worth (Apr 12, 2025)
Weekend Roundup: Building Collective Resilience and Reimagining Justice (Jan 25, 2025)
Connect with Me:
Substack: www.livingin3dpower.substack.com
Instagram: @natural_inclination
Youtube: @naturalinclination
TikTok: Amber Sessoms
LinkedIn: Dr. Amber M. Sessoms, NCSP
Bluesky: @ambersessoms.bsky.social
Facebook: Natural Inclination
Like, Comment, Share, Engage
If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who would love these conversations. Engage with the Curiosity Cards and ask the youth in your life about their experiences because you might be surprised by what you learn. Share your thoughts and reflections in the comments or on social media using #LivingIn3DPower. And, don’t forget to subscribe and stay tuned for next week’s conversation!
