children, Family, inspiration, Life, parenthood, parenting, Poetry, Writing

A Corrie Poem: A Day

There will come a day, as days come and days fade, when i look at the walls after I walk through the double doors to pick up my son from his elementary school.

Advocacy, autism, children, Communication, Family, inspiration, Mental Health, parenting, Photography, Writing

Four Points: Speaking with a Child about the Unimaginable

I saw the tears in Daddy's eyes, and Hayes hugged his Papa. For my father to acknowledge Hayes's losses was a powerful moment for both of them. Another adult, besides his parents, verbally spoke with him about his losses.

Advocacy, Art, children, Family, inspiration, Life, parenthood, Photography, Writing

The Three Cs in Growth through Grief

Friends on social media share the happy pictures of their children all of the time. Now, I can either drink two bottles of wine and feel the full weight of envy, or I can celebrate the life of my daughter by making somber places beautiful. I can make them look like the joy and happiness Corrie brought to my life.

Advocacy, bereavement, Family, flowers, Grief, Holiday, inspiration, kindness, Photography, Photos, Poetry, Writing

Fill Up the Empty Chair for Thanksgiving

Some say empty chairs remain empty all around tables in remodeled kitchens with the island where someone's son ate breakfast. A bar stool sits empty. I arranged flowers this morning for Corrie's room, her spot at the table, and a centerpiece. "Remember me" is a common thought of some who read Bibles and then wonder… Continue reading Fill Up the Empty Chair for Thanksgiving

Advocacy, children, Family, Grief, inspiration, kindness, Life, Loss, parenthood, Photography, Photos

Stepping on the Jelly Fish

In the book, Healing A Parent's Grieving Heart: 100 Practical Ideas by Alan Wolfelt wrote: "In the United States alone, more than 100,000 children die each year."

children, garden, inspiration, Photography, Photos

Corrie’s Garden and Her Flowers at Sunset

Corrie's Memorial Garden will be located to the right of the porch. These flowers were at the cemetery for about one week, and I brought them home. They were not doing well at the time I brought them home, and they are doing so much better. Her turkey is still there even of my grandmother… Continue reading Corrie’s Garden and Her Flowers at Sunset

children, Family, Grief, inspiration, Life, parenting, Photography, Photos, Writing

A Time for Heroes

Dad sits in a waiting room. Eyes red from reading. Eyes tired from small screens and a World War II leaders' novel that I'd given to Mom last Christmas. A Christmas when ... Well, it doesn't matter. Christmases such as that have gone the way of unicorns. My mother, Corrie's Aunt Diana, and my Mom… Continue reading A Time for Heroes

Art, Family, inspiration, Life, Photography, Photos

Art at Corrie’s: Foxes, Racons, Flowers and Martha’s Stained Glass

I also added a turkey, fox and new floral arrangement with the roses for Martha and Corrie.

Art, Family, inspiration, Joy, Life, parenting, Photography, Photos, Writing

Corrie’ Season Presents the Rose Art Work, “Naomi’s Liberty Bell”

For the first time on Corrie’s Season, I share “art” as the highlight instead of writing.

Art, inspiration, Photography, Photos

Roses for Corrie in Online Art Exhibition

Corrie would be proud. The kind of proud when you see the smile on your child's face when he or she dances. When I started writing about Corrie and of my Kinder Memorial Walk in her cemetery, my main concern was: How can I honor Corrie in a way she will be remembered? Art has… Continue reading Roses for Corrie in Online Art Exhibition