Meet Pearl.
Grief Awareness Month: Remembering Pearl
Adam and Bethany Nasont always dreamed of a home filled with love, laughter, and the beautiful chaos of raising a family. They married in 2017 and welcomed their first daughter, Daisy, later that year. Their family grew again with the arrival of Pearl, followed by their youngest daughter, Charity.
From the beginning, Pearl was so full of life. She arrived early, with a full head of hair and a big personality to match. She looked just like her mom and quickly captured everyone’s hearts. “Pearl was the funniest little girl,” Bethany remembers. “She loved making people laugh. She had the best hugs. You always felt like she was holding onto you instead of the other way around. She had this little wiggle in her walk, a huge sense of humor, and so much determination.”
In May 2022, just two weeks after her second birthday, Pearl was diagnosed with cancer. As the world was recovering from the uncertainty of COVID-19, the Nasont family was facing their own unknowns. Pearl began chemotherapy in June, followed by frequent hospital stays due to complications. At home, Daisy and six-month-old Charity were adjusting to drastic changes in their family’s life. “We’re a strong family,” Bethany says. “The Nasonts are survivors. We lean on each other, we persevere, and we stay together through everything.” Despite the two years of treatment, in September 2024, Adam and Bethany learned Pearl was out of treatment options. Pearl began receiving palliative care in November 2024.
Adam and Bethany wanted to spend as much time together as a family as possible. They wanted to be home while still having the support they needed. That’s when Stanford Medical Children’s Health connected them with Coastal Kids Home Care. “We wanted to go home and still feel supported,” Bethany recalls. “That support changed everything.”
The Coastal Kids team quickly became an extension of their family. Nurse Jenny provided a calm and reassuring presence. Vanessa, their visit nurse, formed a special bond with Pearl. Rachel, their Child Life Specialist, spent time with Daisy and Charity, giving them space to just be kids. Daniel brought music into their home, while Lori’s massage therapy provided comfort during difficult days.
When Pearl passed away, one moment stayed with Bethany. “I remember Vanessa crying with us. She didn’t have to hide her emotions. That vulnerability reminded us that Pearl wasn’t just another patient; she was deeply loved and truly cherished. For Adam and Bethany, grief is a journey that’s continued long after the funeral and the first year of loss. "So much of life goes silent,” Bethany says. “The first year, people check in often. They remember birthdays and anniversaries. But by the second year, life keeps moving for everyone else while you’re still carrying your grief every single day.”
Adam has also found that fathers can sometimes feel overlooked in the grieving process. “Dads often feel forgotten. There are so many resources for moms, but dads grieve too. They lost their child too,” Adam explained. Pearl’s sisters continue to carry their own grief, including fears around hospitals, and of taking medicine -- because of what they experienced during Pearl’s treatment. Long-term support from a Child Life Specialist has helped them process their feelings and understand that their grief is valid. The family has also found comfort through counseling, bereavement programs, support groups, and connecting with other parents who understand this unique kind of loss.
“There isn’t a roadmap for grieving a child,” Bethany shares. “I wish there were more resources for siblings and families.”
The Nasont family continues to honor Pearl through the Fight Like a Pearl Foundation, which they created in her memory. For Adam and Bethany, keeping Pearl’s memory alive is an important part of healing. "Starting a foundation is scary, but it’s also healing. It keeps Pearl’s memory alive. The support we received from other foundations during treatment made such a difference. Now we hope to give back and help other families facing similar journeys.” Bethany reflects. “I’m so grateful for my other girls. They give me a reason to keep moving forward every day.”
During Grief Awareness Month, Adam and Bethany hope other families who have experienced the loss of a child know they are not alone. “This journey is incredibly hard. Give your spouse grace because you’re both grieving differently. Lean on your support system. Find people who understand. Most importantly, never stop talking about your child. They deserve to be remembered.”
At Coastal Kids Home Care, we are honored to walk alongside families through every stage of their journey, from diagnosis and treatment to bereavement. Every child deserves to be remembered, every sibling deserves support, and every family deserves to know they are not alone.
