Mary understands. She raised her Son. She saw him in the ordinary. She saw him in the extraordinary. Then He was gone. She is the only human who exemplifies total and pure love, trust, and faith in God. Yet, she did not get a pass on suffering. She couldn’t stop it. She could only endure it and turn to God. … More I Thought I Had More Time: What Mary Shows us About Loving and Letting Go
I know that Loretta was on my mother’s mind because she began to talk about her with me. She talked about Loretta’s easygoing nature and ready smile. Even as the Leukemia got worse, Loretta was cheerful; my mother said that her smile and her faith in God never faltered. … More A Portrait of Loretta
Are we open books? Do they see our story?
Now they understand what we didn’t say.
Is that part of their peace and glory
While ours remains to hope and pray? … More Two Feet Below
These two deaths were like bookends of grief. One sudden loss, and one slow, drawn-out period of waiting for death. One a wake-up call to re-orient myself, the other inspiration to keep living. Both, the profound loss of a friend. … More Bookends of Grief: Friendships and Farewells