by Deb Kalmbach | Al-Anon, alcoholism, difficult relationships, recovery, substance abuse
I’m always amazed to see how connected we are online. A couple of months ago, I wrote a tribute to my friend Doris, who had recently passed away. Doris had encouraged me during those tough times of dealing with my husband Randy’s alcoholism. Reminiscing...
by Deb Kalmbach | aging parents, comfort, dads, encouragement, grief, hope, life
My brother posted this picture of our dad on Facebook on what would have been his 87th birthday. Dad passed away on January 1 and it still doesn’t seem quite real that he’s gone. Friends who have lost loved ones have told me the “firsts” are...
by Deb Kalmbach | Al-Anon, alcoholism, faith, friendship, hope
Doris was the first person I met in the community where I’ve lived for almost 18 years. She passed away in May at the age of 92. I chided myself for not visiting more during her last months. Doris suffered from dementia and other ailments, so I’m not sure...
by Deb Kalmbach | Uncategorized
Welcome to Pearl Girls™ Mother of Pearl Mother’s Day blog series—a nine-day celebration of moms and mothering. Each day will feature a new post by some of today’s best writers (Tricia Goyer, Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, Beth Vogt, Lesli Westfall, and more). I hope you’ll...
by Deb Kalmbach | Uncategorized
Welcome to Pearl Girls™ Mother of Pearl Mother’s Day blog series—a nine-day celebration of moms and mothering. Each day will feature a new post by some of today’s best writers (Tricia Goyer, Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, Beth Vogt, Lesli Westfall, and more). I hope you’ll...
by Deb Kalmbach | Uncategorized
Welcome to Pearl Girls™ Mother of Pearl Mother’s Day blog series—a nine-day celebration of moms and mothering. Each day will feature a new post by some of today’s best writers (Tricia Goyer, Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, Beth Vogt, Lesli Westfall, and more). I hope you’ll...
by Deb Kalmbach | 10x10, Girl Rising, girls' education, hope, World Vision
My husband Randy and I attended a screening of the stunning film Girl Rising the other night. Produced by Paul Allen and several businesses that have partnered through 10×10, a global action campaign to promote girls’ education, Girl Rising is a must-see....
by Deb Kalmbach | blessings, faith, Laura Story, peace, prayer, suffering
Tonight when I was browsing on Facebook, I saw a post that I immediately shared on my timeline… words to a song by Laura Story called Blessings…What if your blessings come through raindrops? What if your healing comes through tears? What if a thousand...
by Deb Kalmbach | alcoholism, comfort, compassion, difficult relationships, faith, God's faithfulness, grace, letting go, love, loving others, surrender
I called my homeless brother yesterday. I only wanted to say that I love him. He couldn’t hear that. He thought I was trying to intervene, judging him. He told me his life is miserable, the party’s over–not that there ever was a party, I thought. I...
by Deb Kalmbach | Uncategorized
Sunday’s Coming! Who can forget Tony Campolo’s incredibly powerful message from a number of years ago, It’s Friday, but Sunday’s Coming? Just in case you’ve never heard it, Tony Campolo, a pastor and university professor, recounted a sermon...
