When you have been traumatized, it seems like you’re always expected more of the same. Being in a good place in your life can be scary...

Where do I begin? Six years ago I woke up a wife and when I finally dropped into bed 23 hours later, it was as a widow. I was 28,...

For most of my adult life, I’ve had a husband. I moved out at 20 on my wedding day and lived with my husband Chris until he died… eight...

I was driving my youngest, Aurora, to pre-k this morning when she said, “Mama, I know why there are traffic lights.” “You do?” I asked. ...

(Don and me- April 2019) In two months, I’m getting married for the second time. This means my household will be growing by two on...

(Chris tasting the rainbow at Victoria Falls, 8/2006) A few evenings back I looked out my kitchen window and saw one of the biggest, most...

I envy the ones who can hear the words “car wreck” Without an increase in heart rate Without electricity going up their spines Without...

(With Aurora, 2019-- age 4) Aurora is currently four years old. She was born five months after her daddy’s death. Unlike her older...

(PC: Joanna Samples, 4/2014) It boggles my mind that there is a negative judgment by some individuals surrounding widows who receive life...

It's no wonder I'm into beards. The first man I ever loved had one in my earliest years and the story goes that baby Aimee would grab...

A ridiculous lie was spoken in my mind tonight. "You’re not even a “real widow”, Aimee. You didn’t lose everything. You didn’t go into...

Today is a special guest post from a friend of mine, another young widow. She asked that I post without her name, but the following are...

My daughters are almost 21 months apart, currently ages three and five. They have plenty of moments when they’re fighting, whether that...

(Alstroemeria/my favorite. 3/2018) Today marks four months since a blind date with the wonderful man I now call boyfriend. It has flown...

(Spring 2014/Photo credit Joanna Samples) Four years ago today I woke up a wife and when I finally dropped into a bed that wasn’t mine...

(Chris and my dad, Father's Day 2010) I wasn’t anticipating all the emotions I’m feeling right now. As I was putting the girls to bed my...

When Chris and I bought a house in 2012, we started buying eclectic geeky housewares. He got me a pizza cutter shaped like the USS...

Growing up, education was always a valued thing in our household. My mother held a master’s degree in education and my father, when I was...

Early yesterday morning I woke from a terrible nightmare. In my sleeping mind I was coming upon a car wreck. I managed to wake myself...

I enter the bookstore in my hometown and I’m here to buy birthday gifts. You wouldn’t think this simple task could flood me with so much...