Parenting Through Loss

06/11/2026

Most of you know, but there are still a lot of people on this page who don’t. Some of you don’t even know my real name or the person behind this business. My name is Maranda Laird, and Emily Boyd is my best friend.

Emily was Kyle Johnson’s companion. Kyle tragically lost his life in a motorcycle accident, leaving behind so many people who loved him, including Emily, their 8 month old baby, and his son Carter.

Thanks to this amazing community, we were able to raise money to help Carter keep his daddy’s truck and assist with funeral expenses. I can’t thank you all enough for that.

But the reality is that Emily is now facing a difficult road ahead. Kyle was helping support Emily and their baby financially, and she is carrying a lot on her shoulders right now. She is worried, grieving, and trying to figure out how to move forward.

My goal is to help get Emily back on her feet and hopefully set up a few months of daycare so she can return to work when she’s ready. I know nobody likes asking for help, but I also can’t stand by and watch my best friend struggle alone.

I don’t have a lot of extra money myself, but I can donate my time and supplies. I am offering a FREE event through my business to one lucky winner. I’ll put approximately $250 worth of supplies into my trailer and come set up the event at no charge.

🎟 Virtual raffle tickets are $10 each.
Cash app is $rustedcup
Venmo is linked below.

https://www.venmo.com/u/rustedcup

If you’d simply like to donate, any amount is appreciated truly. No donation is too small, and every dollar will help provide stability during these next few difficult weeks and months.

Most importantly, please keep Emily, baby, Carter, and the entire Johnson family in your prayers.

This community has already worked miracles once. I’m hoping we can come together again to help this young mother and her baby through one of the hardest seasons of their lives.

Thank you all for your kindness, support, prayers, shares, and donations. ❤️

06/07/2026

One thing we’ve talked about a lot in Parenting Through Loss is the importance of caring for ourselves, not just our children.

Sometimes that means asking for help.

Some times that means setting boundaries.

And some times, like this month, that means making space for joy.

As much as I love our monthly meetings, Parenting Through Loss will not meet in June. I’ll be taking some time to celebrate my birthday, another year of life, and all that this journey has taught me.

June 20th also marks six years since my son’s dad passed away.

For a long time, I couldn’t imagine what life would look like this far down the road. This year, I’m choosing to honor his memory while also making space for movement, community, gratitude, and life.

Because one thing I’ve learned is that grief and joy can exist at the same time.

Healing isn’t about leaving our loved ones behind. It’s about learning how to carry their memory with us while continuing to live.

We’ll be back together on July 18th, and I can’t wait to see everyone then. 🤍

05/29/2026

May’s Parenting Through Loss meeting was so good.

We had a really good mix of familiar faces, new faces, and returning faces!

One thing that I love about this group is that it’s not just about grief — it’s also about growth, reflection, connection, and being able to recognize the positive things we’re doing while still navigating through hard things as they arise.

I’m just really grateful for every person who continues to show up, open up, listen, and pour into one another.

Days like this remind me why Parenting Through Loss exists in the first place. 🤍

Also, we will NOT be meeting in June as I’ll be taking some time to celebrate my birthday, another year of life, and all that this past year has brought.

Several months ago, we talked about the importance of caring for ourselves and making space for joy, and that’s exactly what I plan to do in June.

Our next Parenting Through Loss meeting will be:

🗓 Saturday, July 18
⏰ 10:00–11:00 AM
📍 Southwest Center

See y’all in July. 🤍

05/15/2026

See y’all tomorrow morning!

Location: Southwest Center
Time: 10am- 11am

Whether you’ve come before or have been thinking about attending, you are welcome here.

We will also have a virtual option immediately after for anyone unable to attend in person.

Come as you are. We’d love to have you. 🤍

Virtual Meeting Information- 11:15am-12pm

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/74614865066?pwd=cw94XwLPeayeOBxYLjFJt6GNV2qofB.1

Meeting chat link
https://us04web.zoom.us/launch/jc/74614865066

Meeting ID: 746 1486 5066
Passcode: Parenting

05/09/2026

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms 🤍

To the biological moms, bonus moms, step moms, adoptive moms, foster moms, grandmothers raising grandchildren, moms-to-be, and the women who show up with a mother’s kind of love every single day…

We celebrate you today.

And to the moms who are parenting through loss while still carrying love, grief, strength, and responsibility all at once… I especially want you to know that you are seen.

Mother’s Day can bring joy, gratitude, heartbreak, pride, and reflection all at the same time. Whatever today looks like for you, I hope you give yourself grace.

You are doing better than you think you are.

Happy Mother’s Day from Parenting Through Loss 🤍

05/03/2026

Today is Bereaved Mother’s Day

This is a day that honors mothers who have experienced the loss of a child.

There really aren’t any words that can fully hold that kind of grief… but I do want to acknowledge it.

To the mothers carrying that kind of love and loss, you are seen.

Thinking of you today 🤍

Grief shows up in many different ways, and every story deserves space.

05/01/2026

It’s May… and we’re getting ready for our next Parenting Through Loss meeting.

📍 Southwest Center
🗓 Saturday, May 16
⏰ 10:00–11:00 AM

If you’ve been thinking about coming, this is your reminder.

This space is for parents raising children after loss… whether you were co-parenting or are now navigating it on your own.

There’s no pressure, no expectations. You don’t have to have the right words or be in a certain place. Just come as you are.

We will also have a virtual option immediately after for anyone who isn’t able to attend in person.

I’d love to see you there. 🤍

04/28/2026

The April Parenting Through Loss meeting was phenomenal.

It was just one person… and it was truly one of the best meetings we’ve had. Although, I think they’re all that great 🤪

We were able to really sit, talk, and just be in that space without rushing anything... it reminded me why I started this in the first place.

This space isn’t about numbers.

Whether it’s one person, a room full, or somewhere in between… there is always purpose. There is always impact.

That one conversation mattered. That one connection mattered.

And that’s enough for me. Always will be🤍

04/15/2026

Just a reminder that our Parenting Through Loss meeting is this Saturday 🤍

📍 Southwest Center
⏰ 10:00–11:00 AM

We’ll also be offering a virtual option right after for anyone who can’t attend in person.
⏰ Virtual will begin around 11:15 AM (right after our in-person meeting)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/74614865066?pwd=cw94XwLPeayeOBxYLjFJt6GNV2qofB.1

Meeting ID: 746 1486 5066
Passcode: Parenting

This will be a simple, laid-back space — nothing formal, just a chance to talk, listen, and be around people who understand.

If you’ve been wanting to come but couldn’t make it in person, this is for you. 🤍

You don’t have to do this alone.

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise cloud communications.

04/12/2026

We’re getting ready for our April Parenting Through Loss meeting, and I’d love to see you there.

📍 Southwest Center
🗓 Saturday, April 18
⏰ 10:00–11:00 AM

This space is for parents raising children after loss — whether you were co-parenting or are now navigating it on your own.

This month, we’ll be talking through
“Carrying It Differently” — what this season has looked like and how we’re learning to move forward while still holding everything we carry.

If you’ve been thinking about coming, this is your sign. You don’t have to have the right words or be in a certain place to show up.

We will also be offering a virtual option immediately after the in-person meeting for those who aren’t able to attend in person.

You don’t have to do this alone. 🤍