Atlanta
NOTE: I think just about anyone who’s been on a mission trip will tell you it was a life-changing experience. Therefore, I’m sure in the few months after I returned from my mission trip to Atlanta I said the same thing. For a month in my life that I’ve cherished for the last 30 years…
Not Quite Right
NOTE: To protect the identity and confidentially of everyone involved with the exception of Aunt Zoe all names, and when possible locations have been changed. By the time I reached junior high mom had let herself go. She had reached about 400 pounds and anything physical was too much for her. She tried to cover…
Being a teenager
NOTE: To protect the identity and confidentially of everyone involved all names and when possible, locations have been changed. Like any other kid I looked forward to becoming a teenager. When I would spend time with my “sisters” they were all teenagers and I wanted to be one too. I started high school in the…
The Battle Begins
NOTE: To protect the identity and confidentially of everyone involved with the exception of Aunt Zoe all names and when possible locations have been changed. I don’t think at the time my 11-year-old mind understood I was grieving, however as I look back I went through a grieving process with Aunt Zoe. Now as I…
Losing Aunt Zoe
NOTE: To protect the identities and confidentially of everyone involved with the exception of Aunt Zoe all names and when possible locations have been changed. That Saturday morning my mom came in and woke me up. I had slept in Aunt Zoe’s bed the night before. I probably wanted to keep it warm for her. I don’t…
A Normal Kid
NOTE: To protect the identities and confidentially of everyone involved with the exception of Aunt Zoe all names and when possible all locations have been changed. I came into this world probably with a mouth on me already on what I’m sure was another cold October day in Cherokee, Iowa. My mom would tell me years…
I’ll Fly Away
NOTE: To protect the identity and confidentially of everyone involved all names and when possible locations have been changed. By this time the entire town knew. I bumped into a couple of my old teachers, and my mom’s old boss. Past and present neighbors somehow managed to get a hold of me as well. They all had more…
Planning
NOTE: To protect the identity and confidentially of everyone involved all names and when possible locations have been changed. I woke up to more messages than I did when I arrived at their house the night before. The majority were from well-wishers around the community and those I had been to church with over the years. I…
The Day
NOTE: To protect the identities and confidentially of everyone involved all names and when possible locations have been changed. The only thing that made this particular Monday morning different from any other Monday morning was that I had been out of town with the church’s youth and young adult group for the weekend. We did everything…
Before The Mourning
To me I was living a normal life. I was raised the only child of a single working mom in rural Iowa. My grandmother was just five minutes away and helped out as much as possible. My mom’s work hours started out pretty rough for a few years but after paying her dues she established…
Follow My Blog
Get new content delivered directly to your inbox.
Joy through the mourning 