When I read "I’m Sorry I Cremated You" by Jaclyn Michelle Smith, I instantly connected with her story. Her memoir captures the heartbreak, humor, and healing that come with caring for a parent with dementia and grieving the loss of both parents.
In this episode, Jaclyn and I talk about what it’s really like to love and care for aging parents while trying to hold on to your own life. She shares how improv comedy became her unexpected therapy, what it taught her about staying present, and how journaling through her dad’s final year led to a powerful book.
We also talk about the emotional gray areas of caregiving, boundaries, guilt, and grief—and how laughter sometimes shows up right beside the tears.
If you’ve ever been a caregiver, lost a parent, or wondered how to find yourself again after loss, this conversation will meet you right where you are.
Links:
Learn more about Jaclyn Michelle Smith and her memoir, "I'm Sorry I Cremated You," visit jaclynmichellesmith.com.
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