My mother was always my anchor. She was my safe place where I never felt judged, and I could let it out and still be loved. Her death two years ago left my world in shambles. She did her best to raise her boys to be good men, teaching us love, kindness and a work ethic. Through the years, my mother became my best friend; the one I could turn to for anything, who knew just what to say, when to listen, and when to set me straight. I will never forget that call; my mother was gone. Falling into a sea… Read More
Loss Of Loved One
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I was born into what looked like a solid, God-fearing home—two parents, three brothers, and church multiple times a week. My dad sometimes preached, and my mom led the nursery and sang in the choir. But behind closed doors, life was very different. My dad, who spoke of God, was also my abuser. He manipulated and confused me, framing the abuse as love. That trauma shaped my identity. I craved love, even in broken forms. By 15, I had been abused by five different men and became pregnant with my first son, Damian. I loved him deeply, but inside, I was… Read More
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My story’s unique as I have already gone to be with the Lord. My parents are believers, bringing me up since day one in the church. As a young boy, I was diagnosed with autism and later in life, bipolar disorder. School never came easy and my parents were strong advocates for my education. In my early teens, my father and I attended a youth retreat with our youth group. To see so many young people spend the weekend together worshipping our Lord was a true wonder. During the retreat, the speaker held an altar call, stating that God had the power to… Read More
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Growing up in the Bible Belt, in a small town in North Carolina, faith was always a part of our home. God wasn’t just someone we talked about on Sundays, He was the center of everything. But everything shifted the day tragedy struck. I was 11 when my dad was in a terrible car crash just down the road from our house. He clung to life for a few days, but then doctors told my mom she had to make an unthinkable decision—to turn off the machines that were keeping him alive. It felt like our entire world shattered in that… Read More
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There are some people who change your life just by being in it. For me, that person was Keith--my husband, my best friend, and the love of my life. Our journey together was deeply rooted in faith, love, laughter, and the quiet strength that comes from knowing God is walking beside you. Keith and I shared a bond that words often fail to describe. What stood out most about him was his incredible sense of humor--dry, clever, and always perfectly timed. He had a natural gift for making me laugh, even when I didn’t feel like smiling. Whether he was gently… Read More
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Andy had been my friend for almost my entire life. He dated my sister for years and was like a brother to me. He’s the one who got me into cars. I learned how to drive in his Chevy Blazer when I was just twelve. I went on dates with my future wife in that car. It was more than just a vehicle—it was a part of our story. After Andy died by suicide, I found myself needing something to hold on to. Something tangible. So, I bought a Blazer just like his. It was my way of staying connected to… Read More