We waited more than a year for this day to come. My husband, my son with disabilities, and I arrived early to the courthouse. It was 9:30 in the morning as we walked nervously toward the room that would change my son’s life. My son is now a legal adult. But he will never really be an “adult” as you and I may define adult, unless the Lord chooses to change how he currently functions.
Category: Grief/Encouragement
Three Tips for Sitting Securely in the Suck
It was colder than the arctic when I stepped out for an evening walk. I needed space to breathe. Life was anything but balanced; I felt disrupted and tired. Layered in clothes, I resembled an irritated woolly mammoth roaming the frozen tundra trying to figure out which way is north. I don’t do well with […]
Where to Turn When Sorrow Suffocates Seasonal Joy
I remember my first holiday season as a single parent. Surrounded by ringing bells and colorful bows, the only box I wanted to open was a box of Kleenex. Ever been there? You Are NOT Alone! We desperately wish it were the most fun and festive time of the year, but some Christmases aren’t fun […]
Three Essentials That Will Revolutionize Your Holiday Season
Years ago, shortly after Thanksgiving, I learned my son had been horribly assaulted. Suddenly, all thoughts of a joyful holiday vanished. The last thing on my mind was giving thanks. Though the trees displayed the colors of autumn, my heart was the shade of deepest sorrow. I remember two specific things about the holidays that […]
Seizing Life’s Shocking Surprises with Help and Hope
My son Jon let out a yell. Chairs tumbled over, and his cell phone slid across the wood floor. By the time I reached Jon, the grand mal seizure had started. Without warning, Jon’s body was suddenly bombarded by legions of electrical and chemical blasts that slammed him like tidal waves of shock. Let’s all […]
What You Must Do to Live Fearlessly
My husband’s work hours have been crazy due to the recent natural disasters. He was called into work every Sunday in October. I had just returned from a speaking engagement. I had yet to unpack . . . I was tired. Church is often a struggle for me. It’s tragically amazing how creative my excuses […]
The Priceless Value of Shattered Things
It’s confession time: I have an addiction. It started years ago. Short on cash but high on creativity, secondhand stores and antique shops became my go-to spots for getting stuff. I figured someone’s trash could become my treasure, with the help of some power tools, paint, and my sewing machine. (Thanks to Pinterest and DIY […]
Fearless Friendships: What You Must Remember
The offer was terrifying, but I couldn’t figure out why. My long-time friend told me years ago that I should meet her sister. Apparently, her sister and I have incredibly similar mannerisms and an outrageous sense of humor. On many occasions my friend has said she thinks her sister and I may have been separated […]
Colossal Walls We Must Conquer with Uncompromising Courage
We were going 80 miles an hour when I hit the wall. That collision shattered the left side of my face. Four surgeries and four months later, getting behind the wheel had a whole new meaning. When we think of walls, most of us think of The Great Wall of China or walled cities of […]
The Ultimate Game of Thrones
Epic. Unforgettable. Remarkable. It’s a writer’s dream to craft work so powerful it moves the human spirit. In the world of fiction and fantasy, George R. R. Martin has done that with his novel series, originally titled A Song of Ice and Fire. Producers David Benioff and D. B. Weiss created from Martin’s work the […]
Where to Find Comfort When Disaster Strikes
Harvey. It hasn’t been a common name during my lifetime. Until now. Most of the country will remember the name Harvey and will relate it to one of our nation’s largest natural disasters. News outlets and social media run loops of countless scenes of devastation and loss. Homes filled with wonderful memories have been ripped […]
What to Remember When Your “Not-Best” Self Shows Up
I am not my best self in the morning. Sadly, this “not-best” version of myself must still carpool during morning rush hour traffic—a setup for the perfect storm. I lugged my “not-best” self into the car and noticed my son Jon’s anxiety was high. Anxiety is one of his most difficult challenges. He is rarely […]