Radio Host Delilah Rene’s Inspiring Story of Love and Resilience


Celebrating the holiday season while grappling with grief is never easy, and after losing three of her sons, most-listened-to radio host Delilah Rene, 64, who has comforted millions of listeners for more than 30 years, knows the pain all too well. Here, she opens up about how she focuses on family, faith and tradition to find comfort.

Delilah Rene’s faith-filled journey after losing her sons

Delilah Rene stood among the decorations on Christmas morning and felt a twinge of joy bubbling up past the constant ache of grief in her heart. This will still be special, she thought, only one week after the loss of her stepson, Ryan, in December of 2019.

Having lost her 16-year-old son, Sammy, in 2012 and her 18-year-old son, Zachariah (“Zack”), in 2017, Delilah knew firsthand how the holidays could amplify the pain of loss. How can I even feel happiness during the holidays? she had wondered.

But shortly after losing Sammy, Delilah made a promise to all 12 of her other children: “I will not do to you what my mother did to me. I will not leave you orphaned because I can’t function.” In her 20s, Delilah had lost her brother, and her mother had completely shut down. With her mother unable to overcome the pain, Delilah had felt like she’d lost them both.

They need a fully functioning mother, Delilah vowed, looking around at the twinkling holiday lights. As she thought of the promise she made to her children, she also remembered what her friend and country singer Rory Feek said shortly after she’d lost Zack. Rory had just lost his wife, Joey, and said, “Your boys are now part of your future.” Yes, they’re gone, but they’re in Heaven. Now, I look forward to seeing them again with anticipation, Delilah reminded herself. As that truth settled in her heart, it slowly changed everything.

Delilah's children, including Zack and Sammy, happily pose in matching Christmas pajamas
Delilah’s children (including Zack, top left, and Sammy, far right) have always kept their tradition of wearing matching pajamas on Christmas morningCouresty of Delilah Rene

How Delilah Rene’s family traditions helped her heal

The year she lost Ryan, Delilah took a deep breath as her children and grandchildren filled the room wearing matching pajamas, a tradition they’ve always kept.

The whole family gathered around the table to fill up on her breakfast specialties­—like biscuits with gravy and monkey bread—then gifts and stockings were opened. Laughter filled the room as each of Delilah’s children, ranging from 8 to 45 years old, pulled out a string of dollar bills taped together based on how old they were.

They watched home videos of Christmases past, giggling and reminiscing on each treasured holiday they got to spend with Sammy, Zack and Ryan, and all the joy that they brought to their family.

Soon after, they set out on a silly scavenger hunt that Delilah puts together herself. The hidden clues are poems she writes that send the siblings—and any other friends who come over to join—on a hunt all over her 55-acre farm in Port Orchard, Washington. This was Zack’s favorite part of the holiday, Delilah remembered and realized this isn’t a solemn time—it’s a moment filled with childlike joy.

Delilah Rene happily poses with her late son Sammy
Delilah will always cherish making holiday memories with her son SammyCourtesy of Delilah Rene

Finding joy after grief: Delilah Rene’s story of resilience

As more holidays have come and gone, Delilah remains true to the promise she made to her children and often remembers the encouragement from her friend Rory.

Even while the pain still throbs, she is reminded daily of all that she has to be grateful for. “There are some days when I slip up and accidentally call Paul, my youngest, Zack. He’s filled with energy and passion, which reminds me so much of Zack,” Delilah says. “I’ll look out the window and see him crawling on a wood pile, and I’ll say, ‘Zack, get down!’ That moment will take my breath away and bring me to tears. But the Lord has blessed me with all these kids to love who fill me with joy.”

Although Christmases look a little different now, it’s not because of the family’s loss. “The kids have grown up and moved away,” she explains. “So the holidays changed just because life changes. But we still keep the same silly traditions that the boys loved.”

This holiday season, Delilah is reminded once again that the reason for the celebrations is her faith. “Celebrating the holidays is a time I can focus on my faith and things that have lasting value,” says Delilah. “The more love we share, the more joy we get to experience ourselves. I’ve found that the best way to process our grief, quite simply, is to love.”



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