Abigail’s story is one of deep contradiction: anger and grief, motherhood and loss. When Abigail’s mother died unexpectedly during her pregnancy, their relationship was already complicated. Years of on-and-off estrangement, unresolved conflict, and longing for a different kind of mother left her grieving not just the woman she lost—but the one she never had. In the weeks after her mother’s death, Abigail navigated a baby shower without her, comments from others that missed the mark, and the quiet, confusing relief that came with the end of a painful dynamic. Then her daughter was born—and joy collided with grief in ways she couldn’t have anticipated.

In this episode, Abigail shares what it means to grieve a mother you had a complicated relationship with, becoming a mother while questioning your own childhood, navigating postpartum while carrying unresolved loss and searching for understanding when even you don’t understand your grief. 

Now a core member of The Motherless Mothers team and the voice behind much of our Instagram presence, Abigail also shares how community, storytelling, and validation helped her begin to make sense of the impossible. This conversation is for anyone whose grief doesn’t fit neatly into a box—and who is learning, slowly, how to live alongside it.

Love,

Adina & Lou

To find out more about TMM check out our website here.

We’re honoured to share these community voices—what’s shared reflects personal views, and we can’t take responsibility for the accuracy or content.