This is our third Christmas without John. A few weeks ago I was in Walmart and saw all of the Christmas displays and was blindsided by grief. Thankfully, it was early in the morning and the store was vacant. The soap and deodorant aisle bore witness to my tears as I stood there venting to … Continue reading Finding Christmas Joy When You’re Afraid It May Be Lost
Author: Maria
Only He Can Do This
Have you ever had a breakfast that almost turned into lunch? It happened to me this week when I met another widow for breakfast. We left the restaurant close to noon. : ) She is decades ahead of me on this journey. Oh how I hope to have the vitality and energy and sparkle she … Continue reading Only He Can Do This
Thanksgiving Thoughts
Happy Thanksgiving to You & Your Families! I am thankful for you new friends. I know some of you but many of you are new to me this Thanksgiving. Your geography is vast- all over the world, which means turkey and cranberries and family may not be part of your day. But, whoever you are … Continue reading Thanksgiving Thoughts
A Loss so Big in a Heart so Young
... She Misses Her Momma I just realized. When Dad died, I lost not only a father but also a mother. Mom is an incredible woman and I respect and admire her more and more every day. But she is not the same woman I used to know. She has to pay the bills, fix … Continue reading A Loss so Big in a Heart so Young
Teen Love Can Last
Yes, it is true. John & I are proof that you can meet the love of your life at 15 or 16. That is how old we were 31 years ago today when John & I met on a yellow school bus. We had been at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes event at UVA with … Continue reading Teen Love Can Last
Essentials
As you've probably noticed by now, I talk a lot about God. John did too. I am not a theologian. I am simply a woman who is increasingly captivated by God as He comforts and carries me through profound loss. His presence in my life amazes me. Some of you have a vibrant relationship with … Continue reading Essentials
Speaking Honestly about Grief
Grief is a riddle. What is invisible to everyone else, but you can't escape? Grief. It is awkward to be a mourner disguised in normalcy. I think that maybe our culture shouldn't have discarded the tradition of wearing black during the first few months of mourning. I wouldn't have minded it because it would have made … Continue reading Speaking Honestly about Grief
A Story with a Different Ending
Jay and Katherine Wolf are on the other side of our story. In 2008 Katherine had a catastrophic brain stem stroke, very similar to John's, but she survived. She was 26 years old and the young mom of a 6 month old baby boy. Their story is heartbreaking and inspiring. Jay's commitment to love and Katherine's willingness … Continue reading A Story with a Different Ending
Living the Vows
They are the unwelcome words at a wedding. Those five words, “until death do us part." On a day of beginnings, when death and separation are furthest from our minds, those words barge in. Like in a fairytale, when a vengeful fairy crashes the royal wedding with a curse of doom. Entirely unwelcome. Yet, entirely … Continue reading Living the Vows
Grace & Grief Meet
Over the next few days, we pieced together what had happened to John. It was a beautiful spring afternoon, and he stopped by the university on his way home to go for a run. Security camera videos show him walking out of the gym into brilliant afternoon sunlight. Several people saw him on the jogging … Continue reading Grace & Grief Meet
where love takes you 