Grief is a storm—one that crashes into your life without warning, leaving you gasping for air. On January 31, 2022, my world shattered when I lost my oldest son, Garet, to fentanyl poisoning. In the following months, I felt lost, broken, and unsure of how to keep going. (And if I am being completely honest, I will add I still feel all of those things.) But in that darkness, I found a reason to write—to share my story, to connect with others through our shared experiences, and to find healing together.
I am a mother of six, navigating life after losing my oldest son. Parenting through grief is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Grief is not just sadness—it’s a storm of emotions that crash into you when you least expect it. Some days, it’s an unbearable ache, a weight so heavy it feels impossible to carry. Other days, it’s anger—anger at the world, at the unfairness of it all, anger at the fact that life keeps moving forward when mine was shattered. And then there are moments of love, laughter, and even gratitude. Because even though grief has changed me in ways I never could have expected, I saw strength I never knew I had. That is why I started this blog—to create a space for real conversations about loss, healing, and hope. To stop the stigma of drug addiction being a choice.
Through Stormeyes Enchanted, I will share my journey, the lessons I’ve learned in the depths of grief, and the small moments of light that help me move forward. I’ll talk about parenting after loss, navigating the emotions that come with it, and raising awareness about fentanyl so that no other parent has to go through what I did.
If you’ve lost someone, I want you to know—you are not alone. Grief is messy, painful, and unpredictable. It is scary and overwhelming, but we can walk through it together. I hope this space brings you comfort. I’d love to hear from you if you are on this journey. Your strength and resilience are inspiring to me. What has helped you through your grief? Let’s share, heal, and find light after loss—together.
Light and Love ~Mandy
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