{"id":19568,"date":"2025-10-17T06:49:30","date_gmt":"2025-10-17T10:49:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thealfam.com\/evermore\/public\/?p=19568"},"modified":"2026-07-28T13:10:58","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T17:10:58","slug":"love-is-for-evermore-a-night-of-soul-storytelling-and-song","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thealfam.com\/evermore\/love-is-for-evermore-a-night-of-soul-storytelling-and-song\/","title":{"rendered":"Love is for Evermore: A Night of Soul, Storytelling, and Song"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” row_position_desktop=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

Love is for Evermore<\/em>: A Night of Soul, Storytelling, and Song<\/b><\/h1>\n

Has a nondescript encounter ever changed the trajectory of your life?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For me, it was the fall of 2017, when I opened an email from a <\/span>Washington Post<\/span><\/i> lifestyle writer. Within weeks, <\/span>Evermore\u2019s work was profiled<\/span><\/a>, and letters began pouring in from across the country \u2014 from grieving parents who instantly understood the change I believed America needed.<\/span><\/p>\n

One of those letters came from <\/span>Jena Kirkpatrick<\/span><\/a>, a newly bereaved mother whose son, Ellis, was killed by a drunk driver.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jena, an Austinite, happened to be in D.C. visiting her daughter, Lila, who attended George Washington University. We met for tea, where I learned about the remarkable life \u2014 and heart-shattering death \u2014 of her only son. She told me how she was notified of Ellis\u2019 death, how someone said she should be <\/span>grateful<\/span><\/i> he wasn\u2019t suffering, and how, piece by piece, her life began to unravel. <\/span>She still talks about that conversation<\/span><\/a> on a brisk January morning; no one had ever said, \u201cThe way you were treated is not okay.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

These are exactly the kinds of aftermaths that must change \u2014 not just for Jena, but for all of us.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s hard to believe that only a few years later, Jena would be working for Evermore as our Manager of Community Outreach and Engagement. Indeed, if you\u2019ve ever sent us a note, read our newsletter, or made a donation, you, too, received a letter from Jena \u2014 just as I once did from her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Three years ago, Jena wanted to share Evermore\u2019s work with her Austin community, and so, she created the <\/span>Love Is for Evermore<\/span><\/i> benefit concert. What began in a cozy coffeehouse now fills Radio East with hundreds of people, generous sponsors, and artists who shine a light for those we love and miss.<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019m beyond excited \u2014 not only for the music, but for what this night represents. Each year, it reminds me how far Evermore has come, and how beautifully Austin has embraced our mission \u2014 largely because of one mother, who also lost her child too soon.<\/span><\/p>\n

What started as a simple gathering to honor love and loss has grown into a vibrant celebration of life, shared memory, and change.<\/span><\/p>\n

Next week, on Saturday, October 25, Evermore will host its third annual <\/span>Love Is for Evermore <\/span><\/i>benefit concert at Austin\u2019s Radio East, featuring Shinyribs, Sara Hickman, and Carruthers & Roush. COME JOIN US!<\/span><\/p>\n

Our evening will begin at 7 p.m. with a moment of remembrance and our <\/span>\u201cRemembering Those We Love\u201d<\/span><\/i> installation, where guests can add a light in memory of their loved one. Then, we\u2019ll move into a night of soul, storytelling, and song \u2014 surrounded by food, laughter, and fellow believers that the world can be a more livable place for all who grieve.<\/span><\/p>\n

All proceeds support Evermore\u2019s work to change the systems that shape our lives after loss. But more than that, we\u2019re creating a tomorrow where the next Jena \u2014 or you, or me \u2014 is met with compassion, dignity, and care.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s been one of the greatest honors of my life to be in community with Jena, with Austin, and with each of you. Evermore is growing into a national movement of people who believe, as I do, that grief is universal, and our responses should be, too.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Nirvana says, <\/span>\u201cCome as you are\u201d<\/span><\/i> \u2014 with your stories, your memories, your joy, and your grief. We\u2019ll be there together, in a community of love we all need.<\/span><\/p>\n

With gratitude and hope,<\/span>
\n<\/span>Joyal Mulheron<\/a><\/span>
\n<\/b>Founder & Executive Director, Evermore<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” bg_color=”#FAF8F6″ bg_image=”20962″ bg_image_type=”default” bg_position=”center center” background_image_loading=”default” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”5%” constrain_group_1=”yes” bottom_padding=”5%” left_padding_desktop=”10%” constrain_group_2=”yes” right_padding_desktop=”10%” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” row_position_desktop=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” enable_gradient=”true” color_overlay=”#FAF8F6″ color_overlay_2=”#FAF8F6″ overlay_strength=”0.95″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”center” phone_text_alignment=”center” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”2\/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][nectar_gradient_text heading_tag=”h2″ color=”extra-color-gradient-1″ gradient_direction=”horizontal” text=”Get the Latest Updates”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1784681150948{margin-top: 15px !important;}” text_direction=”default”]\n

Keep up to date on the latest legislative actions, news, resources, and events advancing bereavement care in America.<\/h4>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”center” phone_text_alignment=”center” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”right” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”right” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” overflow=”visible” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” content_layout=”default” gradient_type=”default”][nectar_cta btn_style=”arrow-animation” arrow_animation_alignment=”left” heading_tag=”span” link_type=”new_tab” button_color=”accent-color” button_color_hover=”#247CC1″ text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_color_hover=”#FFFFFF” button_border_thickness=”2px” alignment=”center” alignment_tablet=”default” alignment_phone=”default” display=”block” display_tablet=”inherit” display_phone=”inherit” link_text=”Sign Up Now” font_size_desktop=”1.1em” url=”https:\/\/thealfam.com\/evermore\/mailing-list\/” padding_top=”0.65em” padding_bottom=”0.65em” padding_left=”1.5em” padding_right=”1.5em”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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