Lottie Tomlinson has shared a profoundly moving account of how becoming a mother herself provided a unique path to healing after suffering the devastating losses of her own mother and younger sister.
A Journey Through Loss and Motherhood
The 27-year-old mother-of-two experienced tragedy at a young age. She was just 18 when her mother, Johannah Deakin, died from leukaemia in 2016. In a cruel twist of fate, just three years later, Lottie's world was shattered again when her younger sister, Félicité, died from an accidental drug overdose.
Now raising her own children - two-year-old Lucky and 10-month-old Flossie Grace with fiancé Lewis Burton - Lottie has discovered that parenting has helped mend parts of her that had been broken by grief. "I think the most rewarding part is definitely, I just love being their everything," she told the Daily Mail.
"You know, being that person who is their comfort blanket. It's such a nice feeling as a mum and as a parent to have that, and I think it definitely heals part of me that you know, I've grieved since losing my mum, now that I'm a mum myself."
The Reality of Motherhood and Grief
Despite finding comfort in her role as a mother, Lottie is refreshingly honest about the challenges. She speaks openly about experiencing "mum guilt" and the constant worry that accompanies parenting. "The most challenging I find is the guilt, the mum guilt that comes with it and the worry," she admitted. "I think you want to do the absolute best for your kids, and that's where it stems from."
Her experiences with loss have fundamentally changed how she approaches conversations about death with her young son. "I'm definitely more straight talking with him about death and loss," Lottie explained. "There are pictures of my mum and sister around the house, and he asks questions. I tell him that's his nanny, she's not here, she passed away and went to heaven, but we can still talk about her and have her as part of our lives."
Transforming Grief into Positive Action
Reflecting on her journey, Lottie shared how her perspective on life has been shaped by tragedy. "Going through two experiences of grief has definitely given me a different perspective on life," she said. "It's made me realise how short life is and how important it is to spend time with loved ones and just be happy."
The influencer has become a powerful advocate for talking openly about grief and seeking professional help. She contrasts her two experiences with loss, noting that therapy after her sister's death made the process "more manageable." "Which, you know, could be the difference between life and death for some people. So I think it's definitely so important to talk."
Lottie now channels her experience into meaningful work as an advocate for Legacy Hub, a platform designed to help families record their wishes and organise their affairs. "Planning for the future and sharing your wishes is so important," she emphasised. "Having an app like Legacy Hub makes it easy and safe to store those wishes so your family know exactly what you want."
She treasures the keepsakes that connect her to her lost loved ones, particularly cards and notes from her mother. "You lose the person, and you lose the words they gave you. But when you've got something to look back on, a message, a card, a note, it helps you stay connected."
Through motherhood and her advocacy work, Lottie Tomlinson has found a way to transform profound personal tragedy into a message of hope, healing, and the enduring power of family bonds.
