Learning to Carry What Can’t Be Fixed
A Conversation with Tricia Cherry
Episode Summary
In this deeply honest conversation, Patti sits with Tricia Cherry, a bereaved mother and founder of the 4:04 Foundation, as she shares the story of her son William and the day everything changed.
Tricia reflects on the shock of sudden loss, the disorientation that follows, and the quiet ways grief reshapes everyday life. She speaks about the tension between isolation and connection, the different ways families grieve, and the complicated emotions that can surface in the aftermath, including anger, fear, and questions of faith.
Rather than offering answers, this episode explores what it means to live with a loss that cannot be repaired. Tricia shares how she began to carry her grief while honoring William’s life through service to others, creating spaces where children and families navigating loss can feel seen and supported.
This conversation is a gentle reminder that grief is not something we solve. It is something we learn to carry, one day at a time, alongside the love that remains.
In This Episode
Topics discussed include:
• the sudden loss of a child and its lasting impact on a family
• feeling like a stranger in your own life after loss
• how partners and family members grieve differently
• navigating anger, fear, and faith after tragedy
• the role of community in surviving grief
• creating meaning and legacy through helping others
• learning to live with what cannot be fixed
About Our Guest
Tricia Cherry is a bereaved mother and the founder of the 4:04 Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children and adolescents who are navigating profound loss. Following the death of her son William, Tricia and her family began creating opportunities to give back in his memory, eventually forming a foundation that provides resources, connection, and compassionate support to grieving families. Through her work, she honors William’s life while walking alongside others in their own journeys through loss.
Listen to the Episode
Listen on your preferred platform or through the player below.
• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• iHeart Radio
• Amazon Music/Audible
Interested in Learning More About the 4:04 Foundation?
The 4:04 Foundation was created in memory of William and exists to support children, teens, and families navigating profound loss. If you would like to learn more about their work, programs, or ways to get involved, you can visit their website:
Need Support?
If this conversation brings up emotions or you find yourself needing someone to talk to, you are not alone. Patti offers compassionate one-on-one conversations for those navigating grief, trauma, and life after loss.
You can reach out through The Waiting Place to connect with Patti and schedule a time to talk:
Contact us here.
Reflection
Some losses cannot be repaired, explained, or made right. They change the shape of our lives in ways that unfold over time.
As you listen, you may notice moments that mirror your own experience, or feelings you have not yet found words for. Wherever you are in your grief, you are not alone in carrying it.
Share This Episode
“Grief isn’t something we fix. It’s something we learn to carry.”
If this conversation resonated with you, consider sharing it with someone who may need it. That might be a friend who is grieving, a family member who wants to understand, or someone walking alongside loss.
You can also share this episode within your community or on social media to help others know they are not alone.
Sometimes the most meaningful support is simply passing along something that helped you feel seen.
