Kristy Wallmo

My name is Kristy Wallmo and first and foremost I am the proud mother of two children, Sophie and William. Our family, which includes Jerry (my spouse), William, Sophie, and a menagerie of pets, was living in Silver Spring, Maryland and we were clicking along doing fun family stuff, working, and generally just loving life. That life turned upside down and then some in December of 2019, when William was diagnosed with glioblastoma. There are simply no words so I won’t even try.

After battling GBM for 16 months, William passed away, and over time I have accepted that life will never ever be as good and joyful as it was when Will was physically on earth, in our home, with us. But we do live, even after the worst tragedies occur, so I try to honor William everyday I’m still here.

After taking a year off I returned to work at the National Marine Fisheries Service, where I am a research economist. I hope in that capacity I can contribute something to the long term sustainability of our oceans and all of their magnificent creatures. And though nothing could justify our son’s passing, grief rekindled a creative side in me that had been living in the shadows.

With the love and collaboration of other bereaved parents we put together a book of letters for the newly bereaved, called Let Me Sow Love (https://www.loveletterproject.org). And I engage in a few hobbies, sports, and get outside as often as possible – all of which I believe help me process my grief. But my biggest accomplishment will be simply to live life to it’s fullest, as Will did every day, and try my best to Walk Like Will.