We Left Our Shoes at the Door
I’ve lived in Africa since 1987, and living here has challenged and transformed me. I have learned languages, customs, and cultural cues very different from mine. Initially, I resisted the…
Grief is heavy, personal, and never one-size-fits-all. In this category, you’ll find honest stories of loss woven with the steady, comforting presence of a God who draws near to the brokenhearted. It’s a place for tears, hope, and healing—where sorrow meets the deep compassion of Christ. You’re not alone here.
A Lifetime of Memories and Lavender Roses
Father's Day has me remembering those lost too soon. Slowly, tears are giving way to smiles as I remember those lost during my lifetime. I spent yesterday working on home…
The Strange Time of In Between
I remember when I was younger, time seemed to pass more slowly than it does now that I am older. I can’t quite say I’m old, nor can I claim…
When Bad Things Happen and We Want to Blame God
When bad things happen, it's easy to fall prey to the thinking of, "Why me?" Our family has gone through the wringer with bad things happening in recent months/years. We've…
Image by Jessie Wilcox Smith
The Wolf Was Uber Scary When Dad Was Right
I grew up with my Dad reading me the story of “Little Red Riding Hood” in Finnish (my parents come from Finland). Translated to Finnish it’s called, “Pieni Punahilkka.” The…
Photo by Ben Collins on Pexels.com
Listen carefully, learning how to live in the moments that follow
Earlier this year, I wrote this post on how important it is to listen carefully. The lessons in it still feel relevant today. I’ve learned that the hard lessons of…
It makes no sense when facing unspoken moments of choice
The following post, “It Makes No Sense,” was written back in 2024. With everything going on in the world right now, it feels even more relevant than when I first…
Beneath the surface: Day 1 without my parents
The following is a post I wrote last year. The same feelings rumbling beneath the surface are still there and woke me up this morning. Grief doesn't end, I've found.…
Flowers in my mother’s vase for Mother’s Day
It’s 1 day after Mother’s Day, remembering my mother
It’s the day after Mother’s Day, and I’m sitting alone in the quiet early morning hours. Getting up early isn’t new to me. While I’d love to enjoy a late-morning lie-in, my…
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No more laundry: a journey in grief
I wasn't expecting this memory to come up today. It's been eleven years since my brother, Matthew, passed away. In the past few weeks, I've been thinking about Matthew. While…