Wrestling with Jacob

A journal of faith, grief and devotional musings

bitterness

  • I called my friend Barry when I was deep in grief and unloaded all my burdens on him. I was angry. I was angry with people and circumstances that day. I spewed all my frustrations on my friend that sunny afternoon. After my release of emotion I apologized for my rant. He replied, “Mike, if Read more

  • Every rose has its thorn

    Grief still lingers. I suppose that many around me that know the story of the loss of our son, and 3 other loved ones are happy for us when good and positive blessings happen in our lives. We get all the smiles, congratulations and pats on the back and all the while grief still lingers Read more

  • No matter how tragic my story of grief has been I am quite often confronted with stories of  losses more tragic than my own. I am left muttering, “I can’t even imagine.” Losing a child is a unique grief, a fraternity of sorts whose dues are higher than we ever wanted to pay. I don’t have Read more

  • rest in the desert

    All sunshine makes a desert, but when in the desert look for an oasis. I guess if I could define my life before grief I could use the word sunshine. Three healthy kids, a loving wife, stable jobs and a cape cod in the country.  Life certainly wasn’t without trouble but overall we enjoyed mostly Read more

  • When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Somehow I think the person who coined that phrase never lost a child. In concept I get it but in reality the lemonade is just as bitter as the lemons. Oh sure, it can be watered down and sweetened with artificial sweeteners but it is still sour. It Read more