May is here again. I could feel it approaching. The dreaded day. An anniversary I never wanted. A day I don’t want to commemorate. The day my husband died and the world as I knew it shattered.
Read MoreMinnesota lost another law enforcement officer. It is painful to hear. That courageous man died on his birthday, though no day is a better day to die than others. I can feel the chaos and confusion of that day for me.
Read MorePearl Harbor. What a day. We were greeted by Pacific Historic Parks guides and they did a tremendous job ushering our family through the most amazing national park. We enjoyed self-guided tours through the battleship USS Missouri and had to have some dole whip. When it was time to explore the exhibits our guide, Westin, gave engaging explanations...
Read MoreIf you’re new here, it isn’t all vacation and roses. Yes, we’re trying to figure out a path forward without Adam, but it isn’t easy no matter how much time has passed. Nothing like a pediatric cardiologist appointment to remind me just how harsh a reality we’ve faced. When your strong, healthy husband dies out of the blue from undiagnosed heart...
Read MoreWe found out in December that Band of Blue was sending our family to Hawaii and it was wonderful that my parents, my sister, and my niece were able to join us! When the day finally came, we sprang out of bed for those 3 a.m. alarm clocks and hopped an early flight to Chicago. From there we had a long flight to Honolulu, but the promise of warm...
Read MoreIn my early days of grief, I spent a lot of time outside walking, running, and biking to praise and worship music. As a new widow, with the shock still so fresh, one lyric jumped out at me. In the song “Jireh” by Elevation Worship it says: “I will be content in every
Read MoreWe made it back home just in time for another blizzard, but what a time we had! Sun, beaches, Pearl Harbor - so many memories made. I learned the meaning of "Mahalo." An expression of gratitude in Hawaii. To say we’re grateful for this experience is an understatement.
Read More2020 turned out to be Adam’s last full year of life. We traveled more than usual that year and had Hawaii on our radar. We would be celebrating our 15th wedding anniversary that year and we’d both turn 40. It seemed like the perfect time. Enter COVID and our Hawaii dreams came to an end. No sense flying all that way when so many things were...
Read MoreI've known ever since Adam died that the kindness and generosity showered on our family was something extraordinary that we could never repay. Hundreds of kind souls - from family and friends, law enforcement professionals and military veterans, to hockey families, neighbors, childhood friends and absolute strangers showed up for us - attended...
Read MoreExactly when you think of it. Having been a widow for over a year and a half now, I know what most often stops people from doing something kind after a tragedy. People worry way too much about timing. All of these thoughts are garbage. The right time to reach out to someone dealing with loss is exactly when it crosses
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