Childhood, Loss & Resilience | Eileen O’Doherty on Caregiving, Grief & Growing Up

In this heartfelt episode of Sandwiched, powered by Tumbleweed, host Paul H. Richardson, Jr. sits down with Eileen O’Doherty, a rising graduate at the University of Iowa and member of the Tumbleweed team.

Eileen opens up about her journey of losing her mother, Megan, to cancer after years of caregiving that began when she was just five years old. Raised by a single mom, Eileen learned resilience, responsibility, and the meaning of support from an early age.She shares vivid memories of navigating her mother’s diagnosis, stepping into caregiving roles as a child, and eventually moving in with relatives after her mother’s passing.

Through honest reflection, Eileen highlights how grief shaped her adolescence, the importance of openness with children, and the gift of cherishing small moments. Her story reminds us that even in life’s most difficult seasons, there can be strength, love, and resilience.