About Angie Green, Retired Director of "Mothers Like Me" Comfort Ministry  

Grieving
The old faucet had been unused for decades.  
but she decided to turn the valve,
to give permission for the water to flow.
Dark and rusty tears of deep grief 
and overwhelming sorrow
streamed forth
until the water became 
clear and pure. 
© Lana Gray 2014

I often feel like the "old faucet" mentioned in Lana Gray's poem above, as I continue to give myself "permission for the water to flow and the dark and rusty tears of deep grief and overwhelming sorrow to stream forth," and in doing so, the water is becoming "clear and pure."

On January 10, 2002, death, deep sorrow and grief overwhelmed me, as I suffered the sudden cardiac death of our youngest son, Kevin, while he was surfing in San Onofre, California. Unknown to us, our 28 year-old son had undiagnosed cardio myopathy (enlarged heart) that took him in an instant, leaving me, and our family, traumatized and in shock.

Because of my long walk with God, I was intentional about drawing close to Him, holding onto His promise in Isaiah 61:3 that tells us "He gives beauty for ashes, joy for mourning, praise for the spirit of heaviness, that we might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord that He might be glorified."  

For several years, I suffered intense and overwhelming grief, and during that season of my life, I learned all that I could about how grief affects our heart, soul, mind and body. Thankfully, I  gave myself permission to grieve. The first two years after Kevin's death were the most defining and refining years of my life. Every aspect of my life, including my faith in God, was tested and refined.

During my times of distress, God was the main source of my comfort and hope. His presence, and loving movements and actions in my grieving, fulfilled His promise to all who grieve that "He gives beauty for ashes, joy for mourning and praise for the spirit of heaviness . . . " (Isaiah 61:3). As El Shaddai (the all-sufficient One), He continues to heal and give me His peace, as I live with the loss of my beloved son, Kevin. Little did I know all the good He had for me, for my husband and family.

In 2004, I began to envision how I might comfort and help other grieving moms in my Southern California community. The name of the ministry came first, "Mothers Like Me,"  and then the description, mission and purpose to provide "The Fragrance of Faith, Hope and Love in Loss." It  was clear to me my role would be to "comfort others, as I have been comforted." (2 Cor. 1:4). I wanted to provide a safe, welcoming and accepting place for grieving moms to receive a measure, a fragrance, of God's hope and love in their loss.

In March of 2006,  I co-founded "Mothers Like Me" with Cynthia Weightman, a mom who had suffered the suicide death of her son, Richie, at the stroke of midnight in 2000. When Cynthia and I met at a local grief support group we had an immediate bond as "sisters in loss," and we also shared a common bond of hope and faith in Christ. Agreeing the journey through grief is better made in the company of other moms like us, for two years we shared our compassion, understanding, comfort, hope and encouragement with individuals and small groups of grieving moms in So. California.

In January, 2008, my husband, Bob, retired, and we relocated to Ft. Collins, Colorado with these words on my heart "help more moms in more places."

In January 2009, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and began yet another journey of the heart, soul, mind and body, but I was determined not to give up my ministry to moms.

In October 2013, after much prayer and careful consideration, I made the decision to retire from all leadership roles and responsibilities with a sense I needed to focus on my health, husband and home. This was a very difficult decision, but time has proven t was the right decision.  In March 2015, I experienced a re-ocurrence of breast cancer with subsequent treatments. Any and all ministry leadership, writing and speaking opportunities were put on hold.

In October 2020, I began to write a book entitled "A Mother Like Me - In the Fires of Unexpected Sorrow, " about my journey through grief. It is in the pre-publishing phase.

Though I am no longer in a specific grief ministry leadership role, I am available for one-on-one support and to speak about grieving with hope, as I hope to continue to "help more moms in more places." 

In March, 2022, I began to develop an "Iron-Spirited Women's Fellowship" for women of faith who possess or want to possess a "marathon mindset of faith to finish well." I am enthusiastic about reaching and encouraging fellowship with women who are serious about devoting themselves to the teachings of God's Word, and connecting with other "sisters in Christ."

My life is full of love, laughter, meaning and purpose - all because of the One who brings out the miracles in us! The One who brings life from death and light into darkness.
​
With Faith, Hope and Love in Christ,
Angie Green, "a mom like you"
amotherlikeme@gmail.com
www.amotherlikeme.info


"Grief knits two hearts in closer bonds than happiness ever can and common sufferings are far stronger links than common joys." 
                                                                                                                                                                                 -A. De Lamartine
                                                                                                                                                                                                 

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