This solo episode from Heather marks what would have been Jake’s 20th birthday—a milestone that brings both reflection and reality into sharper focus. Sixteen birthdays have passed since Jake died at age four, and in this episode, Heather revisits a letter she wrote to him on his first birthday after his death, uncovering how grief has evolved in ways she didn’t fully realize until now.

Heather shares what it means to live with grief over time—the shift from raw fear and constant anxiety to a more familiar, though still painful, presence in daily life. She reflects on the difficulty of imagining who Jake would be today, the weight of unanswered questions, and the quiet moments that still carry him forward. This episode is deeply personal, grounded in honesty, and a reminder that grief doesn’t disappear—it changes, softens, and becomes something we learn to carry.

Resources & Ways to Connect

• 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
• APOY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aplaceofyespodcast
• Heather’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathersstraughter
• Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@aplaceofyespodcast
• Everything’s Jakey (Substack): https://everythingsjakey.substack.com/
• Heather’s Substack (Oh, Heather):⁠ https://ohheather.substack.com/⁠