After The Fire

Susan Boswell

Chilling
Haunting
Beautiful…
Thank God you came back Kim! I wasn’t sure you’d make it. You will never forget that day, when time stopped for three years. Sylvia Plaths words are chilling. She knew the depths of despair and yo walk with her there as you did, and to make it back out is nothing short of a miracle! So glad you made it my friend!

Sandra Garth

It is so good to hear from you again and yes I feel gratitude every single day!

Nan Loyd

Between chills & goosebumps, choking in my throat and tears threatening, phew. This was probably one of your most powerful ones yet. Leland and I try to live full of gratitude but I will be honest, in about 2012, I learned the importance of living it out-loud, boldly and thoroughly when I discovered your blog. I discovered anguish so powerful it touched my soul and I knew, “I must be more in-the-moment with my loved ones” – and I have been.

Elephant's Child

As always, heart felt hugs and oceans of caring.
I am so glad you found your way. So very, very glad.

Tammi Pekkala Matthews

Your words make mine seem so inadequate.

lisa thomson-The Great Escape...

Your words transport my spirit from death to re-birth. All yours. Of course, you died a little. You died a lot, in fact. God was always there but it’s so hard to see, feel or hear her.

I can’t even begin to understand your pain, Kim. I loved this post. I’ve never read anything like it.

I find gratitude almost everyday. On the days I don’t, I go to bed early and wait for a better tomorrow.

julie gardner

No words. Just love.

Little Chickie

Yes, everyday I’m grateful for something, even if it’s a fat purring cat. Even if I don’t actually ask myself if I’m grateful, I know there is something. If I had to think about it I’d say I’m grateful for stuff that is free like naps, sunshine, and kids smiling faces.

Little Chickie

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella

You are an incredible writer Kim. I love the way you express yourself so beautifully and so honestly. Loved this line, “Nights are insufferable when you’re homesick, but then realize… you’re already home.” I could really feel your pain.

Minnesota Prairie Roots

Do you know that song, The Joy of the Lord is My Strength? I hear it often on Twin Cities Christian radio station KTIS. It seems to fit this post perfectly. I crank up the radio every time it plays.

You are such a witness to hope, to faith, to trusting in God. You are, in summary, a blessing. Every word you pen and speak blesses others. Thank God for working through you to make a difference.

Hugs and love!

Dana

Gratitude every day. And if I forget, I have your haunting and beautiful words to remind me.

Dad

Kim, Thanks for the inspiring words. Sometimes we ask God why, why do things
happen that hurt us so much. But only God knows the big picture. God
never leaves us or forsakes us, he told us that in his word.
I am happy you met him again, so did I Kim.
Love You
Dad

Hotly Spiced

I have had a few awful phone calls in my life that have thrown my world upside down. None as tragic as the call you received that day in May but in a small way I know how a phone call like that makes you feel – you just feel your world spinning out of control and it’s like the ground is ripped out from under you. Hearing devastating news like that shocks you so violently there is always a very long and slow recovery. So good to know you’ve progressed forward on that journey xx

Janine Huldie

Absolutely beautiful and I agree just because we can’t see those who have gone before us doesn’t mean there aren’t still here with us spiritually. I have that strong believe and honestly helps deal with those losses if nothing else. Hugs and again, you truly said this perfectly.

leadership skills

Hi beautifully written post. I once read a quote that says ” gratitude transforms common days into great blessings. Thanks for sharing.

Sandra

I’m sitting in my living room while my friend is applying eyelash extensions to my daughter and I’m sitting here weeping. This is magnificent. And I am so glad lifted your veil because in doing so he also lifted mine. It was your words on a comment you left on my blog “God has a plan” that brought me back into his arms. I had been keeping him at arms length for 3 ýears as well. He certainly knew what he was doing when He placed you in my life. Love you.

Marcia @ Menopausal Mother

Your writing is stunning. And heartbreaking. My call came in a similar matter—-at night, a worried son telling me to hurry to the hospital because his mother—my sister, wasn’t going to make it. She had pneumonia, for godssake. What do you mean she isn’t going to make it? Give her some antibiotics and a burst of fresh oxygen—she’ll be fine….
I was holding her hand when she was in a coma…then she went into cardiac arrest. They put the paddles on her chest, pounded on her chest—I watched it all in disbelief. They called the time of death and at that moment my world became a surreal nightmare. My last memory is of laying on the hospital bathroom floor—the cold tiles against my face. I thought I was dead. I heard people knocking at the door (my husband?) and I was too frozen, too numb to move. It has been eight years and I still cannot move past it. Mom just died, and as sad as it was, it is my sister I ache for. I know you understand all of this. My sister was my best friend. Yes, I have another sister, but we don’t have that kind of relationship. I think she might have even been a bit resentful that I was closer to my sister who passed away. It is an odd family dynamic I’m still struggling with. I have lost an infant son and both parents, but it is my sister’s death that still haunts me. It always will.