Jessica Fein: Creating a little corner of beauty in difficult times

In this heartfelt conversation, I speak with Jessica Fein, author of 'Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams and Broken Genes.' In a conversation that honours and celebrates her daughter Dalia, who faced a rare degenerative mitochondrial disease that meant she sadly died at the age of 17. Jessica shared so profoundly how she navigated the challenges of raising a child with a life-limiting illness, the strength of her partnership with her husband Rob, and the unique dynamics of family life with their three children shaped by love, joy, pain, loss, and resilience. We discussed the profound impact that Dalia had on so many in her short life. Plus challenges of parenthood, how and the importance of finding beauty and joy amidst sorrow and grief.  Jessica shares important lessons for us all that she learned from Dalia, including the significance of listening deeply for what our loved ones need, and the impact of creating moments of beauty in difficult times.  Key takeaways The pathway to adoption.  Finding joy in difficult circumstances.  Listening to loved ones can reveal their true needs. Sorrow and joy can coexist in our lives. Open communication strengthens relationships during tough times. The significance of giving each other space in relationships.  The deep, unbreakable bond of siblings and how their presence shapes each others lives.  Showing our children that it’s ok to be broken - a shift that profoundly impacted Jessica’s family’s emotional healing.  Creating moments of beauty is vital in challenging situations. Dalia’s enduring ripple effect - her joy and kindness continuing to inspire others after her death.  Disclaimer: I am a coach and death doula, not a licensed therapist. The support and guidance I provide are not a substitute for professional therapy or counselling. If you require, please seek help from a qualified therapist or counsellor. Subscribe to my podcast Death on the Daily Connect with me on Instagram: www.⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/death_onthedaily ⁠⁠⁠ Jessica Fein's book 'Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams and Broken Genes' is out now. Find out more about Jessica, her book, Substack and work here: www.jessicafeinstories.com Connect with Jessica Fein on Instagram: www.instagram.com/feinjessica Connect with Jessica Fein on Facebook: www.facebook.com/jessica.fein.92/ The theme music for Death on the Daily is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Set Free by Katie Gray⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which is used with artist's permission. You can connect with Katie and her music and work here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.katiegray.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. This podcast is edited by David Strutt, who you can contact here for any editing needs: [email protected]