So many people talk about finding the new normal in your life after you’ve had a loss. What is that really supposed to mean? For me, nothing has been normal since my husband died or from any of the other losses I have had to experience. How about you? The American English Collins dictionary tells Continue Reading >>
How To Prepare For The Hard Dates
Grief can get easier as time goes on, but it never really goes away. And though grief can manifest at times when we least expect it, when you lose a loved one, it’s not uncommon to dread certain dates. Whether it’s holidays, anniversaries, or birthdays, it can be hard to celebrate without them. It’s important Continue Reading >>
Understanding and Overcoming Caregiver Burnout
You’ve been there for others in their time of need, pouring love, time, and energy into caring for a loved one. This journey is rewarding, yet it’s not without its trials. You might feel a bit more worn out than usual or be anxious about your caregiver tasks. That’s okay – you’re human, after all. Continue Reading >>
Understanding and Supporting Grieving Teens
Being a teenager is hard enough as it is – there are big exams, tough classes, peer pressure, romantic and social issues, friendships, bullying…the list goes on. It seems silly as you get older but, remember, there once was a time when a person not inviting you to hang out was enough to warrant a Continue Reading >>
Whose Pain is Worse?
I was once asked, “Whose pain is worse? My loss of losing my young husband and being left with a young child or my friend who has lost her son? Everyone keeps comparing our pain.” I hope the following will be of help to you as it was for me many years ago. It goes Continue Reading >>
Thankful
1 Chronicles 16:34 “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his love endures forever.” During this week of Thanksgiving, we thank the Lord for His amazing power and work in our lives, for His goodness, His many blessings, and for His great love and care. We thank Him for food and remember those Continue Reading >>
Receive His Peace Today
I was facing cataract surgery. Normally, this would not be a problem because most people have vision in two eyes. I have vision only in my left eye which is the eye the surgeon would try to correct. Meanwhile, I realized that if the surgeon messed up, I would be blind for the rest of Continue Reading >>
Coping with Loss Through the Holidays
When you think of the holidays, what comes to mind? For some, it’s the hustle and bustle, lots of traffic, or maybe fond memories of years gone by. But, what if those memories only bring a flood of grief because of the absence of dear family members? If that resonates with you, please remember you Continue Reading >>
How To Deal with the Death of Your Pastor
When we lose a loved one, the journey to healing is not an easy one. As a member of a church or faith-based community, the members become your faith family and the pastor is the head of the household. A pastor shepherds his flock, checks on the ill and broken-hearted, and often guides us through Continue Reading >>
Finding Meaning & Purpose After Retirement
You’ve given a majority of your life to your career, and now that you’re retiring, you may feel a little off balance or lost, and are wondering what comes next. While it’s important to take time for yourself, and you may be enjoying less busy and less stress filled days, it’s also important to find Continue Reading >>
Guest Blog: Grieving the Loss of a Pet
For many, a pet is just another member of the family. They provide unconditional love and loyalty, which is why the loss of a dear pet can be so devastating. The pain from losing a pet can seem unbearable and lead to many other complicated emotions. If you or a loved one are going through Continue Reading >>
It Was One of Those Days
Yesterday was “one of those days.” I was struggling with loneliness from the loss of my dear husband. There are moments in our lives when we cannot find anything that satisfies. Family and friends try to help, and we are glad they do, but it is impossible for them to truly understand the depth of Continue Reading >>
Leaving the year 2020 Behind
The year 2020 was, for all of us, extremely challenging and painful. The pandemic disrupted education and put additional stress on families. I think in time God will reveal to us that there were some good and beneficial things happening that year for everyone, but I am not sure we are ready to see that Continue Reading >>
Being Thankful
Thanking the Lord for His many blessings in spite of what is happening around me. “Give thanks to the Lord for his love endures forever. “ 1 Chronicles 16:34 This Thanksgiving I am Thankful for God’s love. Thankful for God’s grace. Thankful because God is always good even though my circumstances are not good. Thankful that I can have Continue Reading >>
A Tribute to Arvid Danielsen
It is with a heavy heart that I share that my husband, Arvid, who supported me without hesitation in all that I was called by God to do, changed his address to heaven on May 28th. I would like to share with you this tribute that I wrote for him. A Tribute to my Husband Continue Reading >>