Category Archives: grief

The Breathin’ Part

Posted on April 8, 2016 by sandrapaldrich

Nancy Bingham Farley Years ago, when my beloved grandmother Mama Farley died at age ninety, my husband, Don, and I decided our then five-year-old daughter, Holly, and six-year-old son, Jay, would attend the Kentucky funeral with us. During the long … Continue reading →

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Posted in a child's wisdom, aging, ancestors, Appalachia, children, confidence, encouragement, faith, families, funerals, grief, heaven, Kentucky | Leave a comment

This Is Not the Life I Asked For

Posted on January 21, 2015 by sandrapaldrich

I’m a transplanted Kentucky woman who was raised to take care of a husband and children, be a good cook and a gracious hostess. In addition to those accomplishments, I earned a master’s degree and taught at a Detroit suburb … Continue reading →

Posted in appreciation, encouragement, God's presence, grief, helping others, single mothers, single parenting, single-parent families, widows | Leave a comment

The Warmest Gift

Posted on December 23, 2013 by sandrapaldrich

As a veteran widow, I thought weepy moments during church services were behind me. But during the recent Christmas program, I wiped my eyes often. It was time to draw upon the lesson I learned years ago. The first Christmas … Continue reading →

Posted in grief, helping others, single mothers, widows | 6 Comments

“The Breathin’ Part”

Posted on August 27, 2013 by sandrapaldrich

News of a neighbor’s death caused me to ponder what practical help I could offer the family. As I made my mental list, I remembered a long-ago scene. Even though our children were young when my grandmother died, they remembered … Continue reading →

Posted in a child's wisdom, Appalachia, funerals, grandmothers, grief | 1 Comment

On Tough Days, Focus on the Blessings

Posted on February 5, 2013 by sandrapaldrich

Does February 5 hold special meaning for you? For me, it marks the day decades ago when I stepped into marriage. My husband, Don, and I were filled with youthful energy and bright dreams. Additionally, we had deep faith, college … Continue reading →

Posted in cancer, counting blessings, courage, grief, single mothers, widows | 2 Comments

The Single-Parent Family: Still a Family

Posted on January 25, 2013 by sandrapaldrich

My daughter, Holly, was in third grade when she came home one day in tears. The class room mother had handed out directions to an event and said, “Take these home to your families.” Then undoubtedly remembering that Holly’s dad … Continue reading →

Posted in families, grief, single mothers, single-parent families | 4 Comments

Jesus Wept

Posted on December 17, 2012 by sandrapaldrich

I had planned to write three Christmas blogs–about creative gifts and typical stress and the antics of extended family at holiday dinners. Then the horror of the Newtown shootings burst through my car radio as I drove home from a … Continue reading →

Posted in grief, Newtown atrocity | 4 Comments

Concentrating on What I Have Left

Posted on October 6, 2012 by sandrapaldrich

Yesterday was my son’s birthday. And while I rejoice at this milestone, I am mindful he now is older than his dad, my husband, was before brain cancer swept in and changed our family forever. But I have choices. So … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, birthdays, children, families, grief, single mothers, single-parent families | 1 Comment