I woke quite early the day of my husband’s visitation. I’d spent the night in my sibling’s hotel room, who both had come to support me after Charlie’s sudden death. Slipping quietly from the room, I headed for the lobby. Finding a chair in front of the fireplace, I scooted closer to its warmth, trying to ward off the…
After learning of my husband’s death, my journey home was extremely difficult. Boarding the plane that would take me back to Iowa, I could barely put one foot in front of the other. Once I got to my seat, I realized I had a problem. How was I going to hoist my bag into the overhead bin? I…
This past week has been painful. Facing the first Fourth of July without Charlie was particularly difficult. A day I would have spent with my husband. Perhaps taking a long drive, then barbequing and inviting our children and grandchildren over to eat and hang out. Although I was not alone, I couldn’t escape the waves of loneliness and grief…
Recently, I received an email from someone I hadn’t heard from for quite a while. She contacted me after learning of my husband’s death. Catching me up on the last thirty years, she said that other than a few momentary relationships along the way, she’d been alone since her divorce. She wrote, “I have had many emotional struggles dealing…
It’s been two months since I learned my wonderful husband of thirty-eight years, Charlie Farrell, died in his sleep. He was sixty-one years old. The call came at five a.m. When my phone first rang beside the hotel bed I quickly declined it, not recognizing the number. But when it rang again, this time with a dear friend’s name…
Today, my heart is hurting for all those who have experienced a past abortion. Because I know the truth…abortion hurts. With the politically charged atmosphere, perhaps more than ever before, abortion is in the forefront. Angry words are being posted—even shouted—everywhere you turn. I can only imagine that for someone who is already suffering from an abortion, this would…
The presents have all been opened. Meals have been carefully prepared, and quickly consumed. All the obligations have been met, to the best of our ability. Some of us have good memories, while others have disappointments—even pain and grief. Christmas isn’t always a joy-filled holiday. The warm fuzzies, (if we had them,) have quickly faded. After all is said and…
My Beautiful Daughter, Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. For I AM The Lord Your God, The Holy One of Israel, Your Savior. You are precious in My eyes,…
Lake Tahoe at dusk Have you ever woken up in the early hours of the morning, with a sense that everything is falling apart? Before you shut your eyes things didn’t seem so bad, but now the possibilities for disaster seem endless? That was my experience recently. After falling asleep easily, a few hours later I suddenly…
