I am here at work today just having a normal day. I had a book by Angie Smith called I Will Carry You that I let someone borrow. It is such a story of encouragement to me while at the same time it made me ball like a baby. I could so relate to her story. It truly touched my life. I am ever grateful to have been introduced to this story at my women’s retreat this past March. I let a coworker borrow the book to read. For her it was just too sad and so she had laid it on my desk this … [Read more...]
A Special Sneak Peak
Hello everyone. I have uploaded a special sneak peak for Mari's book. It is the first two chapter's of the book. I am looking for honest feedback from those who are willing to read it. I hope you enjoy it. https://www.createspace.com/Preview/1082508 Here is a preview of the finally chapter as well as possibly making it into a children's book with illustrations. Please tell me what you think: https://www.createspace.com/Preview/1082512 … [Read more...]
Mari’s book
Yesterday while at church, a lady from my Sunday School class announced something very special. She said she was going to hosting a Tastefully Simple (or is Simply Tasteful) party or something like that. I know that she plans on selling the goodies to members at our church. Then she announced that all proceeds would be going towards costs to get Mari’s book edited. To say I was shocked doesn’t even quite describe it. I am ever so grateful she came up with this idea and others are willing … [Read more...]
Women’s Retreat second entry
I sit here really missing Mari tonight. I brought with me to the women’s retreat her photo album of her last day, I just sat here going through it. I was not really sure if I should bring it or not but was glad I did. Reading that story tonight about that woman who lost her baby brought up all the memories of her last day. I sat here crying as I went through it. I miss her so much and love her so much. I look at those pictures and it brings me right back to that very day. It is still … [Read more...]
I’m still amazed…
I am still amazed sometimes when someone tells me they think I am a good writer. I have never thought of myself in this light. To be honest, the only time I have written anything before in the past were for 2 reasons and 2 reasons only: an assignment/paper for school/college or writing in my diary. That was it. I never wrote stories or anything. Then Mari gets sick and I write out for all of our friends and family updates on her progress. Then she dies. I purchase a special journal to … [Read more...]
Singing…
January 2 I sit here in church service. Right away they start by singing. The tears start to well up and I have to leave. I still have a hard time just being able to sing in church. It is so hard for me. Somehow it just makes me miss Mari all the more. She would always love the singing portion of church service. She would sing in her own special way. She would sometimes flap her arms in excitement. She truly loved the singing. I think I just truly miss that with her not here … [Read more...]
The magic of love
December 14, 2010 Love. Love has its own special magic. When all else fails, you still have love. There are some people who have not been lucky enough to truly experience the love you receive from your life partner. I feel like I am one of the lucky ones. I met Keith when I was only 19 years old. Our first impression of one another was, let’s just say, not that great. So it wasn’t love at first sight. Personally, I have never experienced that but sometimes you just don’t need … [Read more...]
Missing the imporant moments
December 13, 2010 I am driving in my car this morning and the roads are kind of nasty from the snow we got yesterday. I finally plug in my iPhone so I can listen to my iPod. Last night on the way home from work I decided to play Steven Curtis Chapman’s CD “Beauty Will Rise.” This CD was written and created after the tragic death of his youngest daughter Maria. Maria passed away on May 21, 2008, only a little less than 2 months before Mari did. His CD is one of the ways he dealt with … [Read more...]
several entries coming…
I want to first thank all of you who read Mari's site. I have a special journal that I write in at work that are meant to be posts here on Mari's site. However, I have let many build up without typing them up. I wanted to get them up all onto the site today. I started writing them back in October. So that they stay in the order written, I will post them all with today's date. I have 7 entries without any dates at all. Those were written some time after October 19th and before December … [Read more...]
Changes
I sit here in our car as Keith and I are driving to DeKalb one last time before we move to Kentucky. I have nothing to write on at the moment so I took some brown napkins from my glove compartment to use instead (I guess they're not just for wiping your hands off after all). Many things are happening right now in our lives. Many good-byes. The other day we attended our last Parent-only grief group. It was definitely bitter-sweet. I can say without hesitation that this group is beyond … [Read more...]
