Vulnerability: The Superpower Superman’s Son Carries With Pride

-Written by WBYC Volunteer & Friend Teydin Romanowsky

Last Tuesday night, my son, Aleksi, and I had the privilege of attending a conversation with Will Reeve at Regis College as guests of WBYC. We sat in the front row with Kai, Kai's grandmother, and Susie, who is now on the board of Parmenter, a leading organization helping people with grief and end-of-life issues.  Parmentor invited Will Reeve (Superman’s son), to come and speak about his experience with grief and loss. The experience was intimate, inspiring, and lasting.

Will shared his story and the wisdom he’s gained from his grief journey in an open and vulnerable way, a great male role model for Kai and Aleksi.  Will talked about how his grief is something he carries with him all the time, like luggage in an airport- he can never really leave it unattended, but it helps when other people can carry it for him.  He reinforced the message that grief is personal.  There’s no "right" way to grieve and that everyone must go through it on their own in their own way.  For him, this meant rediscovering therapy later in life when he was really ready to do the hard work.  He talked about living life in accordance with his own values. Rather than trying to live a life that would “make his parents proud” (how would he know if his choices are the ones they would have wanted for him?), he tries to live a life that he is proud of, knowing that he is a product of the values his parents raised him with.  He feels he is a work in progress and is always striving to align his choices with his values.

Most of the people in the audience that night had already been personally touched by grief or were or had been in an end-of-life caregiving role, neither of which was true of Aleksi or me for an immediate family member yet. Yet is the key word though, a fact that Will reminded us of- that grief is something that we will all experience if we live long enough.  My dad used to tell me that the most important time to go to church is not when you are suffering (although that is also a good time too), but when you are doing well, because those who are suffering need to be surrounded by the strength and joy of others to hold them up.  Just by showing up, your presence alone can be a small reminder that there is life on the other side of despair- a glimmer of hope offered simply by being there, willing to listen, to lean on and to love. I love that WBYC creates opportunities that build community and fosters connection throughout the year, a community unafraid to talk about grief and loss.

Aleksi and I were humbled to spend an evening with Will Reeve in a room filled with so many who carry grief with them each day, but who also carry joy and are living authentic, meaningful lives inspired by those whom they’ve lost.  This is true of Will Reeve and of the Shaws.  Thank you, Susie, for inviting us to this event and for showing us how to support those who are grieving, making for a healthier community for all.

Will Reeve & The Shaws, 2025