Easier?!
Sometimes I am asked by others on the grief journey if it ever gets easier. I am not sure, even after 9 years, how to answer that question. I usually respond my rote response; “It never gets harder.” I guess that is because I am not sure if “easier” will ever happen and I am…
Windshields & Rear View Mirrors
I don’t even think twice about looking out the front windshield when I am driving; it is the way I learned to drive! What is in front of me is far more important than what is behind me when I am heading down the highway! The rear view mirror is smaller and is designed that…
39 Years
For the past 9 years I have tried to have some creative angle on how to celebrate our wedding anniversary without Jim. It might seem a weird thing to honor and yet remembering Jim is what I do anyway. Marriage is a big deal and I am grateful for the one I had. So I…
I need a new word
Sometimes I miss you because you made me laugh Sometimes I miss you because I have a question that I know you would be able to answer I miss someone else helping me with chores and responsibilities; making goals, plans and sharing plans and my day at the end of it. I miss cooking and…
Paris in the Spring
A place does not matter any more than the value we give it. There are many amazing places around the world, but the ones I love best are the ones with memories and relationships attached. Similarly, we can worship anywhere and we are called to worship the Lord daily (Rom. 12:2); and yet the places…
Remembering Connie
I know I am a very wealthy person. I count my assets in friends. I have many who are all around the world. Some I have lost track of. Some are already in heaven. Some were for a season and some are forever. One of my best friends is a Constance Josephine Lewandowski Degrafft. She…
I cannot remember your laugh!
Dear Jim, I never thought it would happen, but 8 years after you went to heaven I cannot remember what your laugh sounds like. I cannot remember other things about you but nothing bothers me as much as not remembering the sound of your joyful silliness – one of my favorite things about you. I…
Hank Plow
Jim has several cousins on both sides of his family, but some on his mom’s side were also friends! Richard Howard lived in Scottsdale, walking distance to us when we lived there. He grew up in Arizona, so his parents and brother were also nearby. When we moved to the state, he was very excited. …
Earl Degrafft
One of the amazing and greatest blessings of living across the street from Downey First Baptist was the family that moved into the house in front of ours. Earl and Connie Degrafft, who went to church with us, who were almost empty nesters (Susan was in high school, but the older 4 were grown), who…
Kaylee Mykal Benzing
Cousins words to describe Kaylee: awesome, thoughtful, fantastical, kind, extreme, uplifting, laugh-a-getic, life of the party. Angel story My name is Miriam Mohler and Many years ago I was the junior high pastor at FBCS along with my husband who was also on staff. One of the families I ministered with and to was the…