Sheinelle Jones is celebrating her 48th birthday with a personal reflection filled with hope.
After her co-host Jenna Bush Hager presented Sheinelle with a pink birthday cake during TODAY with Jenna & Sheinelle on April 17, Sheinelle shared one of the most powerful things she’s learned over the painful past year.
The top of Sheinelle’s birthday cake featured the image of the cover of her new book, “Through Mom’s Eyes,” a collection of stories and insights from her interviews with the moms of famous people, including Lady Gaga, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Steph Curry, Matthew McConaughey and Venus and Serena Williams.
“I’m not going to get emotional, but 47 was a lot,” said Sheinelle, who lost her husband of 17 years, Uche Ojeh, to brain cancer in May 2025.
A mom herself, Sheinelle welcomed three children with Uche: son Kayin, 16, and 13-year-old twins, Clara and Uche.
“When I turned 47, it was a tough day, my 47th birthday,” she said, referencing her family’s difficult final weeks with Uche.
“I just couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel,” she added.
“So, for 48 to be so wonderful and to be here with you,” Sheinelle continued, placing her hand on Jenna’s hand, “and to be here with you guys, it lets you know that if you’re in something (dark), there is going to be light.”
“Yes, there’s going to be a better birthday ahead,” Jenna agreed as the two embraced.
“We love you!” Jenna said. “Happy Birthday.”
Earlier this week, Sheinelle’s children surprised her live on the air to celebrate the April 13 release of “Through Mom’s Eyes.”
Kayin handed Sheinelle a bouquet of flowers and Clara and Uche hugged her as she wiped tears from her eyes.
Kayin revealed that Sheinelle began the book during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. She continued working on the project after after her husband’s death.
“We’ve obviously gone through so much,” Kayin told Sheinelle. “I’m so happy for you.”
The teen also shared the qualities his mom possesses that make her so special in his eyes.
“I feel like her compassion and kindness to everybody she’s around just has such a good effect on everybody,” he said.
Clara gave Sheinelle a gift of a framed quote Sheinelle attributes to her beloved “grandmama,” Josephine Vonceal Pace Brown, who died Dec. 31, 2025 at age 96.
“I’m doing the best I can with the light I have to see by,” the quote read.
“It’s the quote that you live by and that Gigi said, and I wanted to give this to you,” Clara told Sheinelle.
“I love you guys so much,” Sheinelle said before joking, “OK, now to school.”
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