When Grief Turns Dark, Don’t Go Through it Alone (Marriage Unhindered)

NOTE: This article features some sensitive topics that may not be suitable for younger readers. Please use discretion. A listener named Diane called into Marriage Unhindered to share the kind of pain that takes your breath away. Nearly a year ago, on March 8, 2025, she lost her 28-year-old son unexpectedly. As she described the moment, her husband walked across the street to their son's home to let his dog inside. When he tried to wake their son, he couldn't. Diane admitted that the pain was nearly unbearable for her and there were times she longed to “go to sleep and not wake up.” She also shared another burden: anger at God. “In all of my 60 years, I have never … been angry at God,” she said, but in the beginning she was. Even now, the ache and the temptation toward despair still crosses her mind, yet she doesn’t want to lose the hope of seeing her son again. Doug responded with steady compassion, naming what a mother longs for: “You want to talk to him. You want to hold him.” He encouraged Diane not to isolate, and to seek support through her parish or diocese, where grief groups can help carry the weight with her. Guest Matt Young also offered practical next steps, pointing Diane toward peer support resources like the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Healing Conversations and local community chapters that can connect her with others who understand. Then the conversation turned outward, to anyone listening in a dark place. Doug and Matt emphasized the nationwide crisis line. For anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call or text 988, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. And in the middle of it all, Doug offered a tender, faith-filled reminder: we can keep loving our dead, praying for them, and even talking to them, trusting God’s mercy and the Communion of Saints. The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.