A Journey for Caleb
Welcome to my Blog – here I share my journey through grief after the untimely and devastating death of my firstborn child and only son on August 12, 2019. My journey through parenting two daughters in the wake of tragedy and how I’m reinventing my purpose during unavoidable suffering. With faith, hope and courage, I share how I’m rebuilding my life, healing and processing the pain of child loss.
From The Blog
Grief Dreams, God Winks & Caleb Kisses
Remember “Chicken Soup for the Soul?” This post is kind of like that. Here I will share about a grief dream I had and pictures that represent things I call both “God Winks” and “Caleb Kisses.” I’ve also called them “Hugs from Heaven.” With each photo I’ll describe...
Reflections From My 2021 Word Of The Year: Balance
New Year's Resolutions aren’t really my thing and I’ve picked a Word of the Year before but didn’t end up seeing it through. Throughout 2020 I felt very off balance, as I’m sure much of the human race did as well. Grief, trauma, the pandemic, moving to a new house...
The Truth About Marriage After Child Loss
The Truth About Marriage After Child Loss It is not debated that the hardest thing a couple can go through is the death of a child. You’re never prepared to bury your child after any manner of death, but child death by suicide is more difficult and complex to...
Trust Without Borders
Trust Without Borders I was recently invited by a teacher friend of mine to share Caleb’s story with his students for their Wellness Unit on depression and suicide. I was invited last year as well, but gracefully declined because I wasn’t ready. This year I...
You Pave The Way For Me
I could look up the exact time I texted my friend “911” after she didn’t answer my call on Monday, August 12, 2019, but I can’t bring myself to see the actual time this nightmare started. Since the evening hours of that horrific day, many people have had a hand in...
Rest Or Distress.
Rest On Sunday May 23, 2021, I was at a bereaved parent’s retreat in Franklin, Tennessee and seated in a circle with with 14 other married couples who have experienced the death of a child. In my hands I held a handout titled “Worship & The Word” that...
You Don’t Want To Be Me
If you are new to my Blog, please click here to read about my son Caleb: http://www.ajourneyforcaleb.org/caleb You Don't Want To Be Me I’m writing to you from the deepest, darkest pit a human could ever be in. The pit of despair, devastation and the...
Where Is God In Suicide?
This is an account of my experience, my journey and my faith since the tragic evening of August 12, 2019, when my loving 17 year old son died by suicide. I whole-heartedly trusted God before that day, but could I trust Him still? I’m looking over my shoulder at the...
700 Days: Healing After Child Loss
This blog post was not planned. I typically start writing a post months or weeks in advance and edit it 100 times before publishing it, but the urge was strong for me to get my thoughts and feelings about this one posted today. There’s something to be said about...
Growing Through Grief
When the – “That only happens to other people” – happened to me and no-one handed me a “What to do when Caleb dies handbook,” all I wanted to do was go to sleep and never wake up again. Unimaginable heartache and unanswerable questions about my son’s suicide took over my life. In this post I share how I’ve grown through grief and how I’ve been able to “go on” in life since that tragic Monday night.
“Going back is not an option. I know I must find my way forward. How do I do that when my loss is so devastating and grief is so heavy? I wake up each day and do my best to put one foot in front of the other and do the next right thing while leaving everything I don’t know, to the One who knows it all. Is this easy? Not in the least! The grief, pain and sadness is suffocating, but breath by breath and step by step I’m learning how to live in the balance of mourning and living, despair and joy and grief and gratitude.”
– Chrisy Slate
Joe just know you and your family is loved. The family you have is amazingly beautiful. I love you all so much and Caleb will live on through you all forever.
Thank you
Well, I’m so proud of you and excited to read all about this journey. My heart aches for all you’ve been through and all you’ve lost, but at the same time, I’m cheering for you as you relentlessly move forward to use every joy and every pain to bring glory to Jesus. I wish I had known Caleb and I’m thankful, that through you, I can know him now. He will continue to live through all of you and his life is certainly honored through all of you. All my love. ❤️
Thank you, Heather
I love you & your precious family. So excited about this website.
Thank you, xoxo
Want you to know that you and your family are in my prayers
Thank you
I listened to your podcasts today both of them. They meant so much to me as I lost my 23 year old daughter Abbie March 2, 2021. She was like your son in that she had no outward signs of depression had spent the morning working, texting me and her friends and even made plans to get together with me for an exercise class at 5 that night. Your words and encouragement helped me a lot. I have learned to trust my faith and depend on friends and family to get through this nightmare. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Becky, I’m sorry that you now know this devastating pain and heartache. Thanking you for reaching out and for your kind words and encouragement. My heart and prayers are with you as you navigate the difficult days of grief.