Losing Her Mom Led to a Grief Blog That Took Off
Wed Feb 04 2026
Chelsea Ohlemiller lost her mother in 2017, but the legacy of love, resilience, and truth she left behind continues to shape Chelsea’s life today. In this honest and heart-opening conversation, Chelsea reflects on the complicated emotions of grieving a parent while raising children of your own, the unexpected ways grief shows up years later, and the power of embracing imperfection — especially during the holidays. She shares how her blog, Happiness, Hope, and Harsh Realities, grew into a community of over 150,000 hearts, and why her new book, Now That She’s Gone, is meant to be a companion for grief — a gift to hold onto long after the flowers fade.
Heather and Chelsea talk about the loneliness of grief, what it means to carry a mother’s wisdom into motherhood, and why sometimes a simple family recipe like monkey bread can hold generations of meaning. They discuss the harshness of early grief, how we evolve into people we never expected to become, and the surprising moments when signs from loved ones appear — even if only for a moment. This conversation is full of tenderness, laughter, and deeply earned wisdom, and is a beautiful reminder that grief and love always live side by side.
Resources & Ways to Connect
Happiness, Hope & Harsh Realities Website: https://hopeandharshrealities.com/
Chelsea Ohlemiller on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeandharshrealities
APOY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aplaceofyespodcast
Heather’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathersstraughter
Jake’s Help from Heaven Website: http://jakeshelpfromheaven.org/
Jake’s Help from Heaven Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jakeshelp
Jake’s Help from Heaven Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jakeshelp
Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@aplaceofyespodcast
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Chelsea Ohlemiller lost her mother in 2017, but the legacy of love, resilience, and truth she left behind continues to shape Chelsea’s life today. In this honest and heart-opening conversation, Chelsea reflects on the complicated emotions of grieving a parent while raising children of your own, the unexpected ways grief shows up years later, and the power of embracing imperfection — especially during the holidays. She shares how her blog, Happiness, Hope, and Harsh Realities, grew into a community of over 150,000 hearts, and why her new book, Now That She’s Gone, is meant to be a companion for grief — a gift to hold onto long after the flowers fade. Heather and Chelsea talk about the loneliness of grief, what it means to carry a mother’s wisdom into motherhood, and why sometimes a simple family recipe like monkey bread can hold generations of meaning. They discuss the harshness of early grief, how we evolve into people we never expected to become, and the surprising moments when signs from loved ones appear — even if only for a moment. This conversation is full of tenderness, laughter, and deeply earned wisdom, and is a beautiful reminder that grief and love always live side by side. Resources & Ways to Connect Happiness, Hope & Harsh Realities Website: https://hopeandharshrealities.com/ Chelsea Ohlemiller on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeandharshrealities APOY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aplaceofyespodcast Heather’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathersstraughter Jake’s Help from Heaven Website: http://jakeshelpfromheaven.org/ Jake’s Help from Heaven Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jakeshelp Jake’s Help from Heaven Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jakeshelp Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@aplaceofyespodcast