March 4, 2025

Melissa Wandall: Raising Resilience – A Mother’s Sacred Promise

Episode #10
“Through nurturing these kids in grief, it empowers them to find their own voice and move through their own grief.”

Melissa Wandall: Raising Resilience – A Mother’s Sacred Promise

Episode 10

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The EMTs allowed me to go say goodbye to my husband. And when I did, I promised. I thanked him, number one, for our life. I thanked him for the best five years of my life. And I promised him that I would take care of our family and that our baby would be a happy baby and that she would be born into love and light and not tragedy and negativity.

Show Summary

Melissa Wandall is a woman of incredible resilience who turned profound personal tragedy into a mission of advocacy and hope. After losing her husband, Mark, to a red-light runner just weeks before the birth of their daughter, she made a powerful promise—to raise their child in love and light, not in the shadow of loss. Through her work in traffic safety legislation and grief support for children, Melissa has dedicated her life to preventing tragedies like hers and ensuring that grieving families have the support they need.

This episode is for anyone navigating grief, seeking inspiration, or wanting to turn personal pain into a meaningful purpose. Listeners will learn about the power of optimism, the importance of community support, and the impact of taking action in the face of adversity. Afterward, they’ll feel empowered to embrace their own healing journey, support others through loss, and find ways to honor their loved ones through purpose-driven action.

Guest Information

Melissa Wandall

Guest - Wife

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Chapter Markers

 

Melissa’s Childhood and Sister’s Illness (00:00 – 10:32)

  • Melissa grew up in upstate New York in a farming community
  • Her sister was diagnosed with bone cancer at age 10
  • Family dynamics changed due to sister’s illness and treatments
  • Melissa’s sister passed away on March 29, 1980
  • Melissa promised to live life with grace, faith, and hope

Returning to School After Loss (10:32 – 21:51)

  • Melissa returned to school after 6 weeks
  • Experienced insensitivity from a teacher regarding her sister’s death
  • Became focused on caring for others and their grief
  • Developed strength, resilience, and deep faith from the experience

Meeting Her Husband and Starting a Family (21:51 – 29:34)

  • Moved to Florida and met Mark Wandle
  • Married in 2002 and bought a new home in 2003
  • Became pregnant with their daughter

Tragic Loss of Husband (29:34 – 38:35)

  • Mark was killed by a red light runner on October 24, 2003
  • Melissa was 9 months pregnant at the time
  • Made promises to her husband and unborn daughter
  • Daughter Madison was born on November 13, 2003

Advocacy for Traffic Safety (38:36 – 50:21)

  • Started work on passing a bill for traffic safety in Florida
  • Created the Mark Wandle Traffic Safety Act
  • Took 5 years to pass the bill
  • Focuses on red light safety cameras and education

‍‍ Foundation for Grieving Children (50:21 – 59:45)

  • Started the Mark Wandle Foundation
  • Provides programs for children who have lost a parent, sibling, or guardian
  • Offers grief camps, equine-assisted learning, and scholarships
  • All services are free for families

️ Foundation Programs and Challenges (59:45 – 01:09:18)

  • Annual camp for 62 children
  • Quarterly reconnects for families
  • Faces funding challenges as a small non-profit
  • Aims to expand services to help more children

Personal Healing and Future Goals (01:09:18 – 01:16:24)

  • Reflects on 21 years since husband’s death
  • Feels she’s truly healing for the first time
  • Wants to pursue motivational speaking
  • Balances traffic safety work with foundation responsibilities

Legacy and Continued Impact (01:16:24 – 01:24:59)

  • Views foundation and traffic safety work as her legacy
  • Hopes to inspire future advocates
  • Focuses on helping children break isolation in grief
  • Grateful for the opportunity to raise her daughter

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