Thank you so much for listening! We'd love to hear from you---what you would love to hear, what you like, what helped, etc. With love, Warrior Moms Michele & Amy

Rebecca Buddin opens her heart about the passing of her vibrant 9-year-old daughter Emily to a horse-related accident in July 2023, sharing the raw reality of grief while demonstrating extraordinary resilience.

Emily was the quintessential horse girl – determined, passionate, and sporting her beloved purple cowgirl hat earned with her first rodeo winnings. Rebecca takes us through the beautiful memories of Emily's fierce love for barrel racing, from the moment at age four when she asked if spare change could buy her a horse, to becoming a competitive young rider whose spirit touched everyone around her.

The conversation shifts powerfully when Rebecca reveals how her younger daughter Harper, just seven at the time, declared "We're not quitting riding" after Emily's passing. This moment sparked Rebecca's profound realization: "If I tell her she can't quit, but I do, what am I showing her?" It's this question that propels her forward each day, even through tears and heartache.

Through the Purple Cowgirl Foundation, she's ensuring Emily becomes the famous barrel racer she dreamed of being, just not in the way they planned, while creating safety resources for the equestrian community and support for families facing similar losses.

Ready for a powerful reminder about living purposefully through unimaginable pain? Listen as Rebecca shows us what it means to take Harper's wise advice after grieving her best friend and sister: "You can take a minute," then keep moving forward with love and intention. Follow the Purple Cowgirl Foundation on Facebook to learn more about their safety awareness initiatives and support for grieving families.

"Dream Bird" by Jonny Easton

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Thank you for listening to Warrior Moms podcast. It is an honor to share about our beloved children gone too soon, and we hope by telling of our loss, it may help someone in their grief journey. Please note that we are not medical professionals and encourage those listening to seek help from mental health professionals.

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With love,
Warrior Moms Amy & Michele