Hugh: Navigating Christmas Without His Dad

Hugh was just three years old when his dad died from a brain tumour. In this episode, Bijoux sits down with him to explore what Christmas has looked like since - from navigating the holidays while grieving, to growing up without traditional celebrations, to how his relationship with Christmas has changed over time.

In this episode, Hugh shares how early grief shaped the way he experiences Christmas - from the pressure to feel festive, to creating new rituals that actually feel right, to finding a sense of ease with the season as he’s grown older. Bijoux and Hugh unpack what it really means to navigate the holidays when someone important is no longer there.

Hugh (left) and Sasha (right)

This episode is part of The Grief Podcast, brought to you by Kenzie’s Gift. Kenzie’s Gift was founded by Nic Russell after her three-year-old daughter Kenzie died of cancer. Nic saw how few mental health services existed for grieving tamariki and mātātahi, so she set out to change that. Through this podcast, we’re creating space for real, open conversations about death, grief, and the love that carries on—so young people don’t have to grieve alone.


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