“Rejoice in the Lord, always. And again, I say, rejoice!” Philippians 4:4

Always, Lord? Really? My heart is breaking! It’s our wedding anniversary, and the hole in my heart grows bigger each year. And I am to rejoice?

Before I go any further, I want to chat with you who have lost a loved one, perhaps a spouse, child, sibling, parent, or friend. Each of us goes through stages of grief shaped by our own backgrounds, temperaments, and experiences. My earnest prayers are with you; the losses are great, the pain runs deep. Allow God’s love to grant you HIs peace and comfort.

This 5th year without Russell has been harder for whatever reason. The grief is huge. Winter seems colder this year; days are longer, and simple decisions are more difficult to make. And yet, I can honor him and celebrate God’s goodness because I KNOW this parting is temporary! HOME is awaiting, in God’s time.

On January 13, 2026, I chose to rejoice, to have a fun lunch with friends at the local senior center, and to celebrate our 47th anniversary. It was Bank Day (free), and the Boomer Brothers livened us up with ’50s and ’60s music. The next several hours were spent on “our” bench at Walmart. I could write books about the lives God touched as Russell sat on that bench, sharing Jesus with all who would stop by.

Here is a tiny sampling of God’s grace to a lonely old lady. I was rarely alone. Trust me, the little I share here is the tip of the iceberg!

•  An elderly lady asked for one of the tiny Bibles I was giving to the kids (with the kids’ family’s permission). She is helping a restless 6yr old learn to sit still in church.
• Numerous fellas and gals paused long enough to share a praise or a serious prayer request.
• Close neighbors/friends who had moved away “just happened” to be in the neighborhood and detoured last minute to pick up something on their way out of town. What joy!
• A prayer partner sat with me for over half an hour, bringing me up to date on how God was working in her family despite difficult circumstances and personality challenges.
• A young teen who had lost my contact information was afraid she was too late to submit her drawings for the Patches’ Friendships book I am working on. Happy!
• I complimented a lady’s shirt, and she complimented my butterfly pin. She and her friend invited me to a women’s brunch in a neighboring community; this will be an ongoing relationship for sure!
• The nods, the winks, the hugs, endless!

Sweet friend, you and I are left here for a reason. Our world needs to know they are loved, prayed for, not forgotten. We all need a dose of Hope and it only comes through Jesus. I challenge you to be Jesus’ hands and feet for someone today. I promise, you will rejoice!

Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Hugs,

Susie