My husband told me recently that I run when I’m sad. Usually I would argue with him, but this truth settled into my spirit. He was right. I don’t like those close to me to see me grieve. Grief stings. It isolates. It takes the most ordinary day and turns it into pain. I know this because I know grief…. Read More
Santa Ornament Wreath
Those of you who are new to my blog may not know that I have experienced some big losses in my life. My sister died in 2000 from a heart attack at the age of 53. My dad passed away in 2009 and my mom died under tragic circumstances on Christmas Eve 2010. Sometimes I will be reminded during this special… Read More
Plumb “Need You Now”: Simple Gift Sunday
I had never heard “Need you Now” by Plumb before, but I can so relate to the desperation, the wounds in need of healing. Holding on to Christ, barely moving one foot forward, crying out for understanding in the pain. I know that each of you who reads this has a story to tell. I hope this video will remind… Read More
Draw Me Nearer, Lord
Last week I was asked by a local funeral home to sing at the service of a 52-year-old woman who had died while waiting for a heart/lung transplant. I sing fairly often for funerals, for people I know and some complete strangers. I consider it both an honor and a responsibility. I am intimately acquainted with the grief and devastation… Read More
Women Encouraging Each Other
I am at the Southern Bloggers Conference this weekend but wanted to make sure you know I’m thinking about you! Here are some words of encouragement from one woman to another (written originally here). There are some things that only time and perspective can teach you. If your mom is still alive (or you are blessed with a relationship with… Read More
In Honor of my Sister
If you’ve read my blog for a time you will probably say now, will she ever stop talking about grief? For those of us who have lost loved ones intimately close to us, (for me my sister and both parents), it is a pain that sneaks up on you when least expected. I went away this past weekend with two… Read More
Grief Revisited
(family picture from Easter 2012) I don’t want to write about grief, and I certainly don’t want to experience it. Yet it’s a part of my life and the process of letting go of those I’ve loved and lost. I feel like I have written quite a bit about it on my blog, but it is a subject that I… Read More
Five Minute Friday: Beyond
1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking. 2. Link back here and invite others to join in. 3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun…. Read More
Mother’s Day Loss
I shared the story of my mother’s death at our church this past Mother’s Day and I thought I’d share it here for those of you that may not be familiar with my story. Over the last 3 years of my parents’ lives I was responsible for their care even while they were in a nursing home, with my dad… Read More