The joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10
I am married, the mother of 8 children, and live at the foothills of the beautiful Adirondack Mountains in Upstate New York.
I love God. I believe Jesus is the Savior. It’s going to be flavored in some of my writing. But, there won’t be any Christian pat answers. It just confuses some and disappoints others.
Pain is universal. I carry upon my heart a wound so big that only God was sufficient to place his hand upon it. On September 26, 2005, my oldest son died unexpectedly at age 23.
I have come to learn that pain and suffering are a part of life. You can’t throw scriptures at it or pray it away. You walk through it with God.
I do not have a degree in therapy, psychology, psychiatry, or counseling. I am a mother who has walked through the valley of the shadow of death. “I am one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.”*
We’re all on a path. Sometimes people stop and help us. Sometimes they don’t. I’d be delighted if you let me help you with some simple words of encouragement. No frills, no formulas, no pat answers. Only telling you what has helped me through – when it hurts.
~~~
when it hurts 
Hi! I stumbled on your blog and it looks super interesting and I feel like you have a lot of advice to offer. Well, I’m going to go snoop at your work now. Good day, and thank you!
Hi!
Thanks so much for your comment.
I hope you are inspired in the days to come!
Kathy
Your blog is very inspiring. I’m so sorry for the loss of your son. My daughter passed away in 2008 and I know the pain all too we’ll. Only through the grace of God can we endure and survive such a tragedy. Thank you for sharing and giving hope to others.
Oh, Daphne, thank-you so much for your kind words. Our hope is that day when we see them again.
I am so sorry for your loss. I struggle with a crisis of faith since my daughter died suddenly 17 months ago. However, I remain open to finding it again but it is going to take time to rebuild the trust.
Thank-you so much. And I am sad for the loss of your sweet daughter. Crisis of faith, yes. God can handle it. He’s patient and loving.
deeincollingo, I’m praying for you right now. So sorry for your loss and for yours Kathleen. I’ll pray for both of you. I’m so blessed by your writing .
Marlene Hibbard.
Thank-you, Marlene 🙂
Very sorry for your loss, Kathleen. It is the one thing a parent dreads the most. But it has brought you here. Thank you for sharing your walk with us.
I lost a daughter in other ways, to rebellion, poor friend choices and rejection of faith. She and I are slowly healing but we have a long way to go before we can talk about that time, and all I can do is wait and trust God.
I so appreciate connecting with you. Thank-you so much for your comment.
Your words are kind and knowing. We share a bond of tragic loss. The only way out of it is through it with God. Peace to you. ~ Dale, Brandon’s mom
Thank-you, lensgirl.
I’m so sorry for the loss of your son. My teenage daughter Leah chose Nehemiah 8:10 as her ‘motto’ in 2013 when she was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer. It is now inscribed on the ‘kneeling plate’ on her grave for all to see. This verse challenges me constantly as I gaze at it through tear filled eyes.
Thank-you, Victoria. My son, Christopher’s headstone has this carved in it: ” sown in weakness … raised in power” 1 Cor. 15:43.
That was a lovely verse to use, but I’m sorry that you needed one at all.
My 24 year old daughter, Sarah, (my 4th child and my baby) died in a car accident on Memorial Day, almost 4 months ago. I can hardly say it without starting to cry. Inertia and a sense of hopelessness has overtaken me, despite my best efforts. I go to work every day, smile and act pleasantly, listen to inane conversation that I’d rather not listen to. I get angry at people who I have not seen since my daughter’s death, and they say nothing to me. No acknowledgement of the absolutely heartbreaking loss. My 3 other children are all handling Sarah’s death differently. In a nutshell, they are pushing their grief away, hoping to deal with it “down the road”. Consequently, I don’t see or hear from them as often. This adds to my sadness. Grief is a lonely place.
Shannon, my heart is breaking for you.
Everything you are feeling is so familiar to me.
It takes time. So much more time than what many of us are used to.
Thank-you so much for sharing your thoughts.