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Crossroads with Jenny Bushkell
Jenny Bushkell and grief specialist Joy Gartner talk about child and grandchild loss, unpacking guilt, faith, and the quiet return of joy through tiny daily glimmers. The conversation focuses on community, honest grief work, and the idea that God’s presence can still be found in silence and sorrow.
24:14•9 May 2026
Holding On to Joy After Losing a Child with Joy Gartner
Episode Overview
- Grief for a child or grandchild is deep, has no set timeline, and is a valid expression of love.
- Joy is an inner gift that can appear as small “glimmers” even when happiness feels impossible.
- Guilt is misplaced if there was no intention to harm; shame and self-blame keep people stuck.
- Community and safe spaces to speak a child’s name help reduce isolation for parents, grandparents, and siblings.
- Grief can be a sacred place of spiritual intimacy and growth, even when God feels silent.
“The silence does not mean God is absent. He never leaves us.”
What can we learn from those who have battled addiction, grief, and loss all at once? This conversation with grief specialist Joy Gartner zeroes in on the raw reality of losing a child or grandchild through illness, overdose, suicide, accident, or tragedy, and what it means to breathe again afterwards.
Speaking with host Jenny Bushkell, Joy explains the difference between happiness and joy in a way that hits home: “Happiness is what happens… Joy is what’s on the inside.” She talks about looking for tiny “glimmers” – a flower, a song on the radio, a friend’s voice – that quietly hold you up when the pain feels unbearable.
The episode focuses on parents and grandparents who feel crushed in spirit, haunted by “should-have, would-have, could-haves.” Joy gently reframes guilt, asking, “Did you mean to harm your child?” and reminding people that, if the answer is no, “you are not guilty.” Rather than stuffing grief down, she shares evidence-based grief recovery tools that help transform pain into something more peaceful over time. Faith runs through the whole conversation.
Jenny and Joy reflect on intimacy with God in the darkest moments, clinging to Psalm 34:18 and the idea that “the silence does not mean God is absent.” Grief is described as “sacred space” where growth can happen, even when someone feels no hope at all. There’s also practical talk about community: gatherings for bereaved parents and grandparents, resources around suicide awareness, and the importance of remembering siblings and grandparents who are often overlooked in the shadow of loss.
If you or someone you care about is grieving a child, this gentle, honest chat offers language, validation, and a reminder that you don’t have to fix anything or feel happy to be moving forward. Could this be the nudge that helps you look for one small glimmer of joy today?
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