Hi there, friends, near and far. My last post was almost a year ago- When Time Just Won't Heal the Hurt . If you haven't read it, it will be helpful to check it out. It explains where I have been for a year. It's July now. I am almost at the end of a … Continue reading Anchored. No matter what comes.
Author: Maria
When Time Just Won’t Heal the Hurt
I used to think that if I could sit on a beach, staring at the water for a long time (maybe a few months?), my grief would subside and eventually just float away. I'd stand up ready to move on with my life. But, life hasn't offered months at a time to dig my feet … Continue reading When Time Just Won’t Heal the Hurt
9 Years of Learning to Live Again
Today marks nine years of missing John. Nine years of learning how to live with grief. Nine years of learning how to navigate life as a single mom. Nine years of leaning into God for strength and endurance and hope and help and comfort. And He has been with me through every hour and every … Continue reading 9 Years of Learning to Live Again
Dance, Don’t Wrestle
I can feel it when it happens. Can you? A tense conversation begins to escalate and my strong emotions, my perspective, my concerns, my fears, all begin to fuel my desperation to be heard. To be understood. To appeal to reason. To prevail. And I wrestle. If it is someone I care for deeply, I … Continue reading Dance, Don’t Wrestle
If Your Christmas is Messy Like Mine
Messy and Christmas don't seem to go together. Adults don't have visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads. Oh no! Our visions are much, much loftier (and harder to attain): sparkling well-decorated homes; the yummiest of menus and treats; the perfect stack of brighly wrapped presents; peaceful, happy family moments. We want it all: … Continue reading If Your Christmas is Messy Like Mine
You Don’t Have To Fake It
Earlier this week, big problems and small annoyances were mounting up and irritating me, but the bigger issue was deeper. Underlying my frustration was the reality of being a widow. You see, the hardship of this journey is still the same as it was five years ago when it was fresh. Yes, I am more … Continue reading You Don’t Have To Fake It
Easter: Our Tears Meet Hope & Joy
Happy Easter, My Reading Friends! Every year I become more excited about celebrating this Holy Week! How could I face every day without the confident hope that death isn't the end? What would our family do without the peace that John is safe in God's care, and we will see him again? God has offered … Continue reading Easter: Our Tears Meet Hope & Joy
He Loves Us Back to Life
Last month, March 8 came around again and marked five years since John went to heaven. Five years is a long time to miss someone you love. Years ago, in our early days of dating and marriage, I feared losing John. I couldn't imagine life without him. The thought of experiencing a loss that great … Continue reading He Loves Us Back to Life
Stay in Today
You woke up today in what was your tomorrow. It is profoundly true; the future unfolds one day at a time. Methodically, rhythmically, always on time. We are getting to the future slowly but surely. There are times when it just can't get here fast enough because you are anticipating what is ahead. Like when there … Continue reading Stay in Today
Daring to Dream Again
Well, we are at the end of the first month of this new year and resolutions aren't quite as shiny. I don't typically make many new year resolutions. Since John died, my resolutions have been simple: "I am resolved, with God's sustaining grace, to keep putting one foot in front of the other for 365 … Continue reading Daring to Dream Again
where love takes you 