Mother's Day Without Mom: Finding Grace in the Grief

Written by Savannah Chrisley

Published May 9, 2026

Y'all... Mother's Day is this Sunday, and I've been feeling all kinds of ways about it. It's my third one without Mom being physically here with us, and somehow it doesn't get easier. If anything, watching Chloe grow into this beautiful young woman makes me miss Mom even more.

I woke up this morning and just sat in my car for like twenty minutes before going into the office. Sometimes the grief hits you out of nowhere, you know? One minute you're fine, planning content for GoodGirlRx, and the next you're ugly crying in the Starbucks drive-thru because they're playing that song Mom used to love.

Young woman sitting by window with coffee cup, looking thoughtful — Some mornings just require extra grace

But here's what I'm learning: grief and gratitude can exist in the same space. I'm heartbroken that Mom can't be here to see Chloe's first real teenage Mother's Day gift-giving attempt (bless her heart, she's been sneaking around with Grayson all week). But I'm also so grateful that Mom taught me how to mother before I ever knew I'd need to.

The Unexpected Gifts

Being thrust into this maternal role with Chloe and Grayson has taught me so much about Mom's strength. Like, I finally understand why she was always on me about taking care of myself. The other day Chloe asked me why I'm so dedicated to my health journey, and I realized... it's because I need to be here for them. That's why I started my NAD+ protocol last month — not just for the energy boost, but because these kids deserve a guardian who can keep up with them.

“You can't pour from an empty cup, baby girl. Fill yours first.”

— Mom's advice that hits different now

I've been in therapy working through all this (normalize therapy, y'all!), and my therapist asked me what traditions I want to create with Chloe and Grayson. It hit me — we get to write our own story. Yes, it's built on the foundation Mom laid, but we get to add our own chapters.

So this Mother's Day, we're doing both. We're honoring Mom with her favorite strawberry cake (Chloe insists on making it from scratch even though we all know I can't bake to save my life). But we're also starting something new — a gratitude jar where we'll each write what we love about our little makeshift family.

To all my girls out there missing their moms, being moms when they never planned to be, or just trying to figure out this whole life thing... I see you. I am you. We're going to make it through this weekend with grace, probably some tears, and definitely some wine (after the kids are in bed, obviously).

Mom always said God doesn't give us more than we can handle. Some days I want to have a word with Him about His confidence in me... but then Chloe hugs me goodnight or Grayson makes me laugh until I can't breathe, and I think maybe He knew what He was doing after all. Happy Mother's Day to all the mamas, the bonus mamas, the grieving daughters, and everyone in between. You're doing amazing, sweetie. With love, Savannah