When a child dies, immediate support floods in. Cards, flowers, phone calls, and meals fill the first few weeks. But as time passes, the crowd thins out, leaving bereaved parents to navigate a silent, altered world long after the funeral ends.
In this episode of Beyond the Loss, I sat down with Kelly Edmondson—a trauma ICU nurse, healthcare executive, and founder of The Timely Presence—to discuss how we carry love forward after loss without leaving our children behind.
“I don’t move on, but I am walking forward. The most disrespectful thing I could do would be not to live my life.” — Kelly Edmondson
Remembering Darius
Kelly’s oldest son, Darius, was born on Christmas Day—a “party in a person” who lit up every room he entered. At 18 years old, right after graduating high school, Darius received a late-onset epilepsy diagnosis. Despite a decade of navigating severe seizures, lost driving privileges, and medication brain fog, Darius persevered to graduate college and build a successful career as a realtor in Ohio.
In January 2023, at age 28, Darius passed away in his sleep from a seizure. Looking at his urns weeks later, Kelly made a firm decision: “I can’t let the rest of your life just be these two urns. I have to keep hearing your name.”
The Gap After the Funeral: The Timely Presence
Recognizing that the hardest moments often occur on milestone dates—birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries—Kelly founded The Timely Presence. The company partners with individuals, employers, and healthcare organizations to send curated, meaningful gifts and message prompts to bereaved families throughout their first year of loss.
What began as an anonymous gesture—leaving a wind chime on a grieving neighbor’s porch—has turned into a nationwide movement to ensure no bereaved parent feels forgotten when the rest of the world moves on.
Key Takeaways for Bereaved Parents
- Look for Double Rainbows: Cultivate intentional presence and seek small moments of beauty, peace, and connection.
- Keep Their Name Aloud: Share stories, celebrate memories, and honor your child’s legacy in ways that feel authentic to you—whether through a large foundation or simple everyday gestures.
- Give Yourself Permission to Feel: You can hold profound sadness over your child’s absence while simultaneously experiencing joy and gratitude for life.
Connect with me:
• Website: https://sharonspano.com
• Podcast Page: https://sharonspano.com/podcast/podcast-beyond-the-loss/
• YouTube: youtube.com/@SharonSpano-BeyondtheLoss-Host
• Substack: substack.com/@drsharon
Connect with Kelly Edmondson:
• Website: https://thetimelypresence.com
• LinkedIn: Kelly Edmondson
Interested in Being a Guest on Beyond the Loss?
Apply here to share your story:
https://sharonspano.com/podcast-guest-beyond-the-loss/