Category: Grief & Healing

  • Healing

    Healing

    When my husband and I moved into our new (to us) house last year, we had no idea what the yard would look like come spring. We just knew we loved the house and felt it was meant for us. Fast forward a few months and the foliage all around the house started to come…

  • Let Go and Grow

    Let Go and Grow

    My youngest son and I have the best Sunday conversations. Today everybody was out of town except us so we met for lunch at a fabulous place that serves both tacos and sushi, can it get any better? Then we walked the paved trail at park across the street. I really love this kid and…

  • Billye Jean

    Billye Jean

    Today I’m sharing with you a tribute I wrote about a special friend that passed away this week… We were in our early twenties when we first met an extraordinary woman otherwise known as Billye Jean. Little did I know at the time that my life would be forever impacted. We were young and fresh…

  • Little Losses

    Little Losses

    Hi everybody.  How are you doing in the midst of the great pandemic quarantine of 2020?  Never have I seen so many people walking their dogs or watering their lawns just waiting for someone, anyone, to walk by so they can strike up a conversation. From six feet away, of course. Never in all of…

  • Dancing Into Glory

    Dancing Into Glory

    I was weaving through the aisles of Target absent mindedly enjoying the yellows and browns of the fall décor.  I love this time of year.  As I rounded the corner I passed a grey-headed attractive lady and, as usual, my heart wilted a little because my Mom would never get the chance to grow old. …

  • The Preacher

    The Preacher

    I don’t recall a time in my life when my daddy wasn’t a preacher. I’m told I was about five when he and Mom sold everything they had, packed up a Uhaul, and headed to Colorado Springs to attend Bible College. You know, I’m still amazed when I think about that.  My mom was always…

  • “Costly Grace”

    “Costly Grace”

      Costly Grace I had to speak clearly as she hung on every word. Having someone read to her was the only choice, as she could no longer see. She had been diagnosed with a disease that ravaged her body and left her with only her mind and what she could hear. Her days were…

  • Tending to Grief

    Tending to Grief

    Soon it will be four years since my mom went to heaven.  Honestly, that doesn’t seem possible.  You know, I still have her number saved in my phone, it’s still listed with the speed dial numbers.  Every once and a while I am tempted to tap the screen just to see if someone answers on…

  • Baptized in Salty Water

    Baptized in Salty Water

    At the beginning of this year I felt a strong sense the Lord was going to give me joy.  Or maybe He was going to resurrect joy in my heart, or uncover it. However you want to say it, I could hear Him speaking “joy” into my spiritual ears.    I was so excited!  I posted…

  • Daisies for Mother’s Day

    Daisies for Mother’s Day

    It’s the fourth Mother’s Day without mom. I’m still not myself. My daughter and I planted some flowers in a small garden right outside the screened in porch looking over the back yard.  They are so lovely and I enjoy watching them bloom and grow stronger.  But, the one I’m keeping an eye on is…

  • Bubbling Joy

    Bubbling Joy

    As 2017 stumbled to an end I am sure I heard the whisper of the Lord in my ear. “Joy.” Trust me, a word like that is music to the soul of a girl who has been through the deepest valley of grief.  If the word was tangible I would’ve reached out and grabbed it…

  • Dear Momma

    Dear Momma

    Dear Momma, The sky is so blue today, you would’ve loved it.  I still can’t believe you’re not here.  I wonder if you know how often I drive up to see you.  Well, the place we left you.  It still feels surreal to talk to a stone carved in the shape of a cross with…

  • Bittersweet Waters

    Bittersweet Waters

    I held it together pretty well until I saw her lean over and speak tender last words.  Tears spilled from her cheeks and she groaned from the agony ripping her soul.  Heartbreak like this was something she’d never experienced, it hurt to breathe.  How was she ever going to say goodbye? After all, you only…

  • Dear Daddy

    Dear Daddy

    Dear Daddy, If you had told me a few years ago that our lives would look like they do today, I would’ve thought you watched too many television dramas. But, here we are and, like it or not, life has dealt us a difficult hand. Somehow, we’re still standing to talk about it. You know…

  • Saying Goodbye…Again

    Saying Goodbye…Again

    I’ve said this so many times before, but it begs repeating. Nobody warns you when you have these precious children that one day they’re going to grow up and become big people and then they’re going to leave. And when they go, they’re going to take a portion of your heart with them. There’s a…

  • So This Is Life After Loss

    So This Is Life After Loss

    Today marks a milestone in my life.   Two years ago today my mom slipped into heaven.  I cannot even begin to put into words what the loss of my mom has done to me.  I can tell you that I am not the same person I was.  Loss has a way of changing you.  Honestly,…

  • Ninety Seconds of Light: Good Father

    Ninety Seconds of Light: Good Father

    It was a gorgeous afternoon. The sky was a striking blue, not a cloud in sight. There was a slight cool breeze that felt heavenly and the sun was blindingly bright. Perfect weather for a walk around the trail where I enjoy going in the afternoons. I love turning on Pandora, popping in my earbuds…

  • Bringing Back the Joy of Christmas

    Bringing Back the Joy of Christmas

    It was another long night.  Up again with stomach pain, walking the floor, waiting for the medicine to work so she could go back to bed.  Life shouldn’t be so hard.  People shouldn’t get sick, suffer and die.  It felt like there was a chasm the size of the Grand Canyon in her heart and…

  • One Year Today

    One Year Today

    This week will mark the one year anniversary of my mom’s death.  A day that will be forever held in my heart as sacred, the end of a lifelong relationship.   The day I said good bye to my best friend, my spiritual mentor, my co-worker, my mother.  There has not been a day since that…

  • Eyes to See

    Eyes to See

    A few nights ago I decided to go for a walk. The weather was so nice, cooler than it has been, there was a touch of fall in the air. That’s such a welcome reprieve for south Alabama.   The town where I live is probably five miles from one end to the other, so to…

  • Ten Months Today

    Ten Months Today

    I don’t know what happens at a nine to ten month milestone when someone you love with all of your heart dies, but something does. It has been a difficult month, I feel like I have taken steps backwards. There is a heaviness that lingers all the time. I’ve been told repeatedly that it is a year…

  • Nine Months Today…

    I was sitting outside on the screened in porch this morning to pray and to write some things that were rolling around in my heart and mind. I got to thinking about an old wives tale that someone recently told me. In this tale, a redbird, Cardinal, can represent people you love who have passed.…