We received this picture today: With these words:I am sending you a picture of my fire helmet with a certain little boy’s name in it.  I see this every time I put my helmet on.  Judson is watching over me at all times.  I put it on the day I found that he had passed

Today is Jessie’s ½ birthday. ½ birthdays are overlooked by most, but in our family they became significant when Judson was born.  Because Jud entered this world on Christmas Eve, we decided to celebrate his birth most significantly at the ½ mark each year-June 24th. Then when Jessie was born, in an effort to be

I have been thinking a great deal about the concept of loss. Losses, big and small, are experienced on a daily basis.  Whether it be the loss of a relationship, the loss of health, the loss of a job, the loss of a privilege, or as simple as the loss of one’s keys, in this

I sang this old hymn regularly before Jud died and now I have been hearing it again and again in various contexts.  The truths of these words by John Rippon, written in 1787, seem to keep emerging as a call to my soul.  How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, is laid for

I have been averaging a visit to Judson’s gravesite about once or twice a week.  Recently many have asked me what the draw is for frequenting Space 7G in Edgewood Garden at Fairhaven Memorial Park. I must admit that prior to Judson’s death, I did not understand what would entice someone to visit the gravesite

Dear Jud, It has been just over 14 weeks since you died and I fear you slipping away from me.  Strangely, I am afraid of not having this searing pain; I have come to equate my pain with my love for you, and you are worth every bit of sorrow.  However, as time progresses, I

  Deep parts of my soul are being tapped in my grief-areas which might otherwise have gone unexplored.  On this, my journey toward wholeness, my mourning has been an impetus for me to become more fully me, the person God created me to be.  And for this I am grateful.

I am beginning to realize that not only did Judson die, but I have to die to so many of the ideals for how I thought my life would be today and in the future.  As time goes on, I must let go not only of Jud, but I must let go of what I