Sibling loss runs far deeper than many people realize. When a child loses a sibling, they lose not only shared memories of the past, but also the future they imagined growing up together. For bereaved parents, this grief can be especially painful to witness—because sibling loss is rarely talked about and often misunderstood.
Siblings who lose a brother or sister are often called the forgotten grievers. While much of the support and acknowledgment rightly centers on parents, surviving children may feel overlooked, unsure where their grief belongs, or hesitant to express their pain. Many parents are left wondering how to best support their children while navigating their own overwhelming loss.
In this episode, Laura is joined by two guests who have each experienced the profound loss of two siblings. They also share a unique family connection as father and daughter-in-law. Together, they offer honest insight into what sibling loss truly feels like, what grieving children often carry silently, and how parents can gently and intentionally support their surviving children through the loss of a brother or sister.
Whether you are a parent seeking to better understand your child’s grief, or someone wanting to acknowledge the often unseen pain of sibling loss, this conversation offers compassion, clarity, and hope for walking this road together.
Bobby is married to his wife, Amy, and together they have four adult children. He serves in the Air Force and lives in the country near Wichita, Kansas and is the Founder of Sibling Lifeline. Bobby is deeply committed to service both in uniform and in the community. He volunteers with Make-A-Wish, the Wichita Children’s Home, and the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). He is also actively involved in leading fellow Airmen into the local community through various youth outreach events.
In his personal time, Bobby enjoys spending time with family and friends, walking trails, and playing sports. He carries the memory of his two brothers, Robert and Carl Bisterfeldt, both in Heaven, which continues to shape his compassion for others and his dedication to serving those navigating grief and loss.
Gabby is married to her husband, Caleb, and together they share life with their two amazing cats, Miles and Willow, along with their dog Murphy. She works in business management and lives in Edmond, Oklahoma. Gabby is the Co-Founder of Sibling Lifeline.
Gabby enjoys spending time with family and friends, running, and traveling. She has a deep passion for serving others and volunteers with several nonprofit organizations. Having both a brother and a sister in Heaven, Caleb Lillis and Jessicca Haveman, Gabby brings compassion, empathy, and lived understanding alongside those navigating grief and loss.
Links Mentioned in this episode:
Find comfort in The Bible’s Grieving Parents now on Kindle or PDF while the paperback edition is on its way.
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Birthdays:
We lovingly remember and celebrate the lives of:
Ryan Hines was born on January 7 and is forever 27.
Luke Joseph Raymond was born on January 18 and is forever 30.
Joshua David Raymond was born on January 18 and is forever 34.
Jeanette Marie was born on January 19 and is forever 36.
Visit gpshope.org/birthdays to submit your child’s name and date so we can honor them, too.
The special song written for our children’s birthdays I Remember Well can be heard here.
Remember to Hold On Pain Eases; there is HOPE!
To have Laura come and minister at your event, contact us at office@gpshope.org.
Grieving Parents Sharing Hope (GPS Hope) is here to walk with parents through the darkness of child-loss, guiding them to a place of hope, light and purpose.
It is a safe place for anyone who has lost a child from this earth. There is no shame or judgment in where you are in this journey, including if you are struggling in your relationship with God or your faith has been completely shattered.
After the death of a child, joy can feel impossible. Many grieving parents describe their heart as broken, locked shut and unable to fully beat again. The idea of joy or happiness can feel distant, unrealistic, or even offensive in the depth of such loss. And yet, deep within many of us is a quiet longing to believe that joy might still be possible, even if it looks somewhat different. 
When our child dies, something inside us changes forever. Grief reshapes our inner world, and many of us assume that joy was buried along with our child. Even hearing the word “joy” can feel painful.
The first key to unlocking your heart to joy after child loss is thankfulness. Not a shallow gratitude that ignores pain, but a deliberate choice to notice what still remains.
Another vital part of unlocking your heart to joy after child loss is immersing yourself in the Word of God.
The third key to unlocking your heart to joy after child loss is learning to extend care beyond your own pain. In other words, help someone else who has a need. 
Unlocking your heart to joy after child loss may not feel the same as the joy you once knew. That joy belongs to a different chapter of life. What grows in its place is something deeper and more enduring.
I
After the death of a child, many parents quietly wonder if finding joy after child loss is even possible. For some, the word 
One of the most important distinctions we can make on this journey is the difference between happiness and joy.
Through this journey, I’ve come to see that grief and joy can coexist.
There is a clear “before” and “after” when you lose a child. Joy on this side of loss may not look the same as it once did, but that does not mean it is less real.
We often think of miracles as something external: physical healing, provision, or dramatic change. But some of the greatest miracles God performs happen inside us.
This journey is a process. There is no rushing it, no checklist to complete, no timeline to follow.
