Jes lost her fifteen-year-old son, Rayce, to a baseball-sized brain tumor that no one knew was there, a loss that unfolded in a matter of hours and changed the course of her life forever. She grew up in a small town in Utah and lost her mother to cancer at thirteen, an early grief that quietly shaped how she learned to survive, adapt, and care for others long before she became a parent. As an adult, Jes built her life around her three children, immersing herself in the demanding world of competitive youth sports, where teams became extended families and weekends revolved around tournaments, travel, and shared routines. That sense of closeness would later become both a lifeline and a source of unimaginable heartbreak.
In the hours leading up to Rayce’s death, normal life unraveled: emergency rooms, unanswered questions, organ donation decisions, and the impossible task of telling his younger siblings their brother wasn’t coming home. Jes speaks openly about the shock, anger, and disorientation that followed, and the long road of learning how to survive grief without letting it define her entire identity. Her story is not about finding neat explanations, but about continuing to show up for her children, honoring Rayce’s life, and choosing to keep moving forward even when nothing makes sense.
Jes’ Links:
https://www.instagram.com/jes.marie18
Resources:
Bereaved Parents of the USA (BPUSA)
https://bereavedparentsusa.org
MISS Foundation
https://www.missfoundation.org
GriefShare
Beyond the Monsters Socials:
https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/
https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters
Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.
Topics: child loss, grief, bereaved parent, healing, parenting after loss
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