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Encouragement

Encouragement, Health

How to Help Your Children Cope with Grief

Grief is a challenging, confusing struggle. As adults we wrestle with it, so how much tougher must it be for children? Last week, I wrote about grief over at Defying Shadows. It occurred to me later how differently we face things as adults than children do and that I’d be remiss if I didn’t share what I know about grief and children.  

Children aren’t just “little adults.” In fact, the way they function and process are quite different than how we operate as adults.  When my children lost their father, we were all reeling from the shock and grief. I had lost both my parents by then and was no stranger to grief, but I was very much a stranger to dealing with significant loss as a child. I learned a lot from my children during this process just as I learned a lot about them. That support was absolutely vital to their healing and mine. Continue Reading

Encouragement, Life Is Beautiful

Loss of a Friend: Going Back and Going Forward

I’ve lost a friend. Four days ago I received news that one of my closest friends since childhood had left this life. My reaction surprised even myself. I gasped and my hands flew up to my face, covering it as if to shut out the information I’d just learned and somehow make it untrue.

I wanted to write. That’s what we writers often do when we’re struggling with something: we make sense of it on paper. It’s our therapy. But words didn’t come.

Lisa was a writer. This was a fact that had bonded us at an early age. We’d compare thoughts, poems, and stories. She was the only person I knew who loved writing as much as I did. “The moon is keen and I like green” was one of the most memorable stanzas from an early poem she had written. Continue Reading

Encouragement, Life Is Beautiful

The Brides Carried Cream Roses

Have you ever read a newspaper clipping with wedding and bridal shower columns from decades past? Somewhere in the 1950’s, the newspaper covered every detail of weddings and bridal showers. When I read the column describing my parents’ wedding, I fell in love with this style of news reporting. It reminded me of times when things were simpler and folks appreciated the tiny details of life.

I also became appreciative. By the time I was getting remarried, both of my parents had a new address in Heaven. I had to find some way to incorporate them into our wedding, even if I was the only one who knew how they’d be honored. I did the expected mention in the wedding bulletin. A framed wedding photo adorned the table alongside the guest book.

I longed for a more intimate way to include them and when examining the clipping that beautifully described their wedding, I found the way. Continue Reading

Encouragement, Life Is Beautiful

Shiny New Year, Shiny New Dreams

With just a few more clicks of the clock it will be a new year, 2015. A year full of promise and adventure. That’s my new word for 2015: adventure!   

Please come back in the new year where I will offer an abundance of good words and encouragement for you, your life, and the fulfillment of your dreams. God be with you this day and every, and I look forward to a prosperous, healthy, amazing 2015!