I have been married to my kids’ hero for almost 24 years. He has been called many things (including Captain America), but his favorite is that of husband and father. We have six great kids, including a daughter, Laney, who passed away last summer while hiking, at the tender age of 20. Through my story I hope to remind others that you can make it through whatever you are facing. One day at a time.
Like many of you, I am no stranger to life’s trials and heartaches.This blog is a result of my recent struggles with the loss of my daughter and my hope is to inspire and encourage those whose heads hang down and to strengthen the feeble knees.
I do not want to be here, doing this. I do not want to be a member of this particular club. The club of those who have lost a child. But I am. And so, through my struggles, I will offer thoughts of healing, strength and courage. I will give insight into how my family is coping, and how it is that we can find the courage to take it one day at a time. And then, to try again tomorrow.
I hope that my words with strengthen you in some way, so that you may be able to carry on and find joy in the journey.
~Tina
I was so very blessed by your blog. I truly don’t know where your strength comes from. I suffer from spinal cord compression damage from a previous cyst which has took me from a very active healthy person to a “chronic pain” person that can no longer do the things she loves. As I lay in bed tonight awake because of the pain my thoughts were “I can’t live like this”. Then after reading your blog I realize there are far deeper pains than mine. I truly do not know how you survive the loss of a child. Even though I’m not healthy, my children are and I think God led me to your blog so I would realize I’m blessed that its me not them and to keep trying to better myself for them. You and your family will be in my prayers.
Hi Traci,
Thank you so much for your comment. I am glad that my blog has helped you. I don’t feel very strong, but I do keep putting one foot in front of the other knowing that I will eventually reach my destination. Some days are very discouraging and it is hard to keep my chin up. I, too, think about my other kids and that keeps me going. I just trust that all of the unfairness in life will be made right and that my tears shall turn to tears of joy. My faith is what really keeps me going.
Hang in there. Everything happens for a reason. Since losing Laney, I have been lead to situations where I could help others because of my own trials. That doesn’t make them easy to bear, though.
Love,
Tina
Dear Tina,
It’s a pleasure for me finding your blog.
Read it the whole night long and really feel as if God’s touching my heart again and again.
I’m a christian for a long time now and I just want to say that you are a great inspiration!
Love the way how you wrote about your kids and your motherhood. My husband and me have prayed now for nearly ten years for becoming parents… And still praying and hoping for our miricale…. Becoming parents one day…hopefully soon.. 10 years are a long long time..
Well.. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and all the things Laney did. Thank you for showing that it’ll be worth going through tough times!
Thank you so very much!
May the Lord keeps you and bless you!
Love, Jules
(…sorry for my bad English- I’m from Germany..
!)
Hi Jules! I am so glad that I am bringing you inspiration. One thing that I can tell you for sure is that even when we don’t know the road ahead, God does. Keep hoping! You can make it through this.
One of Laney’s best friends just came home from a Mormon mission to Germany/Austria.
P.S. I lived in Trier as a kid
Love,
Tina
You are beautiful and a great inspiration to me. When I grow up … I hope I’m like you!