My three children and one young man are the only people who ever called me “Mom.” This young man struggled with making bad decisions. He always came for advice before and after he made a bad decision. Sometimes he followed my counsel, but mostly he did not. I loved him, so I would always speak the truth to him. Our long history taught him that I … [Read more...]
A Legacy of Faith & Character
On Christmas Eve my husband called me in the middle of the day. Something in the catch of his voice alarmed me. He started to say that Brock had just called. He paused and collected his voice. Suddenly I knew with all certainty what he was going to say. He measured out the words, “They just found his dad dead.” Until he spoke those words I still … [Read more...]
The Milestones of Birthdays
My mother was born on October 29, 1941 in Bismarck, North Dakota. Until today every time her birthdate rolled around I thought, “This was my mother’s birthday.” As if her not being alive today to celebrate her birthday took away from the fact that she was born on this very day 73 years ago. My mother is not turning 73 years-old today. She … [Read more...]
Enter to WIN a FREE Book
I am trying out RaffleCopter with a FREE a Rafflecopter giveaway. You can enter to win any of my books by clicking on the link above. The more ways you enter the better your chances are of winning. You can win a FREE copy of any of my books including: 360 Degrees of Grief: Reflections of Hope, Volume 1 The Art, Science and Business … [Read more...]
360 Degrees of Grief Book Release TODAY
SELAH PRESS RELEASES NEW ANTHOLOGY, 360 DEGREES OF GRIEF, ON MAY 19 Kayla Fioravanti's New Book Shares Stories from 64 Authors, Including Steve Green, Wayne Watson NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 1, 2014) - Selah Press announces the May 19 release of 360 Degrees of Grief: Reflections of Hope, Volume 1, a collection of first-person stories detailing … [Read more...]
12 Lessons Grief Taught Me
The walk through grief is filled with milestones that are precious. You cannot sneak past grief in the night, run through it or sit still in one spot of grief. You must walk through it at grief’s pace. Grief is a passage, not place to wallow in, skip past, or tunnel under. If you don’t go through the grief it will fester and consume you in another … [Read more...]
360 Degrees of Grief Invitation
Christian writers are invited to submit your story to the upcoming compilation book 360 Degrees of Grief to be published by Selah Press. This project fulfills a passion for me to provide comfort to people in the midst and aftermath of a crisis. When my mother died, I found that most grief books only spoke of grief from a singular perspective. In … [Read more...]
Vacancy Left in the Wake of Death
Two years ago today I held my mother’s hand as she took her last breathe. Death leaves a vacancy in your life that no one can take up residence in. The loss of my mother did not leave a faint impression like a foot print in the sand that can easily washed away. Her absence has instead felt more like the loss of a limb for a tree. “The … [Read more...]
When Death is Personal & Piercing
Death can make many levels of acquaintance with us. There is some death that is remotely connected to you and gives your heart pause, like distant relatives you never met or celebrities. There is death that hits you full force in the heart. And there is the impact death can make in your life that is everywhere in between. I remember the time … [Read more...]
The Lesson of the Carrot, Egg and Coffee Beans
I have been taking a Sunday school class taught by Pastor Tom at our church Pastor Tom on the book of Philippians, which is one of my favorite books of the Bible. Last week to illustrate a point, Pastor Tom shared the story of the carrot, egg and coffee beans. I loved the story and just had to share it with you. What a great lesson and … [Read more...]
Upon Goodbye
It is nearly impossible to think of you in the past tense. Your life is colorfully woven into the fabric of ours. I know you are gone, I saw you leave, but in my memory you are vividly alive, with your mischievous smile teasing the corners of your mouth. Saying “she was…” doesn’t fit comfortably on my tongue yet because you left bold … [Read more...]