
While We're Waiting® - Hope After Child Loss 302 | Branches of Grace (Part One) with Tom and Heather Snyir
"God doesn’t always remove the suffering—He enters into it with us.”
In this first half of our conversation, Tom and Heather Snyir share the story of their daughter, Katie Rae—a creative, joyful teenager who made everyone around her feel like they were her best friend.
Katie was diagnosed with leukemia at just four years old. Tom and Heather share what it was like to navigate months of treatment, a bone marrow transplant, and the gift of more than a decade of remission.
Then, as a teenager, Katie was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive and deadly form of brain cancer. In this episode, Tom and Heather begin sharing what that journey looked like for their family and how they walked through those difficult days together until Katie went to Heaven.
Throughout this conversation, you’ll hear how their faith was stretched and sustained—not through easy answers, but through God’s presence in the middle of uncertainty.
Resources & Mentions
- Tom Snyir’s book: Branches of Grace: Devotions from the Front Lines of Faith - Available HERE.
Coming Next
In next week's episode, Tom and Heather share what life has looked like since Katie went to Heaven. We talk about grief in everyday life, how people respond to loss, and Tom shares more of his personal journey through PTSD, depression, and finding hope.
** IMPORTANT** - All views expressed by guests on this podcast are theirs alone, and may not represent the Statement of Faith and Statement of Beliefs of the While We're Waiting ministry.
We'd love for you to connect with us here at While We're Waiting!
Click HERE to visit our website and learn about our free While We're Waiting Weekends for bereaved parents
Click HERE to learn more about our network of While We're Waiting support groups all across the country.
Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channel
Click HERE to follow our public Facebook page
Click HERE to follow us on Instagram
Click HERE to follow us on Twitter
Click HERE to make a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministry
Contact Jill by email at: jill@whilewerewaiting.org
