In this episode, we have not one, but two fantastic guests to share their story, Hope Reger and Candace Sims. Both of whom are mothers to sons who were murdered. In our conversation we hear how they have found both determination and purpose in and from their experiences. These amazing women now support others in their grief and living life more fully.

Bios

Hope Reger

Hope Reger lives in Xenia, Ohio with her husband Mike, she has two sons Brian, 33 and Justin, forever 19 and three amazing granddaughters, Haylynn, Addi, and Brilie. Hope's "day job" is a talent coordinator with a major financial institution for the past 26 years. Hope believes her purpose in life was given to her after the traumatic loss of her son to murder. That purpose is to provide positivity, inspiration, and hope to others through her Grief 2 Hope program she created in honor of her son. Grief 2 Hope is a virtual peer grief support group that allows grievers a safe space to be their authentic self with support of others who understand and know exactly what they are going through. One of Hope's quotes she likes to end each session with is " Grief changes your entire world, it can also inspire you to change the world".

Hope can be found at www.grief2hopesupport.com

You can also check out Hope’s memoir, Grief 2 Hope: A mother's memoir of devastation to determination on Amazon Kindle at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B7K12G4V.

Candace Sims

Candace Sims is more than just a bereaved mother. She parented a son for 22 years as a single mother. Marcus Reid was killed April 8, 2007. Since that day life has never been the same. The first year of coping with grief and loss was an eye-opening, self-reflecting experience. She felt pitiful for herself and thought she would always be pitied. But due to the spiritual foundation she was building up to that point, the faith inside of her went to work.

She is now (at 15 years of grieving my son's death) a Certified End of life Coach, Court Appointed Advocate in the State of Georgia, Community Advocate, Small Business Bereavement Coordinator, wife and Grandmother! Death has taught her how to live better purposefully! Her life's work is to help others talk more freely, and candidly about death without falling apart. 

Candace can be found at www.concepts-power.com