Today was a busy day.  I had back to back commitments and more than half of the day went by before it dawned on me that today was that day.


You know how there's a certain day that gets imprinted on your mind, such as 9-11?    November 16th is that day for me.   It was the day the love of my life went home to be with Jesus. 


It was 2001 and the world was still reeling about what happened two months earlier on September 11th.  My husband, Rob, was in the final stages of the cancer that would take his life.


I remember waking up to the sound of the phone ringing.   Back then we still had landlines.   It was the hospital telling me I needed to come immediately.  I woke up my oldest daughter and told her to wake up her siblings and bring them to the hospital. 

I don't even remember driving there.

He passed away a few hours later.  I am thankful we each got to say goodbye.


Now 22 years later, the grief has changed.  It's not about what I lost but about what could've been.   I am thankful to say I am no longer angry but my heart still aches at certain moments.  I still miss him.


Since he passed away right beforeThanksgiving, it was a rough holiday in our family for many years.  I am happy to say that is no longer the case.  We can remember the holidays we had and be thankful. 


It's hard to be thankful when the pain runs deep but I've found that being thankful lessens the pain.  So, I'd like to share what I am thankful for today.


First, I am thankful for my dear friends. I had lunch with two of them today and their love made me realize how blessed I am.  To have good friends is a gift..  Second (this one's a crazy contrast but true nonetheless), I am thankful for my eye doctor.  It was my first visit today and it didn't take me long to realize he was a character and an avid fan of crossword puzzles.  The first part of my exam was spent trying to answer his trivia questions, such as, “what's a five letter word for type of boat?”   I rolled my eyes at the answer but it made me laugh.  It lightened my load and I am thankful.  (The answer is “gravy “ by the way.)   


So I guess what I'd like to say is that when you're having a hard day, I hope you have some moments where you can be thankful.   Call a good friend, do something that makes you laugh. I guarantee it will make you feel better.



I'll be away next week so I wish everyone a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving!   And don't forget the gravy!

It's Not The End

By Eileen Glotfelty • May 23, 2026
Are you one of those people who like to read the end of the story before finishing the book? This morning I've been sitting here feeling overwhelmed by life. There are things that are out of my control and a lot of uncertainty. For someone who likes to have a plan, it's my worst nightmare. God's word says that He finishes what He starts and He will complete the good work in me (Philippians 1:6 NIV). I struggle with that when I can't see the finish line. God's word also says He's the Alpha and the Omega which means He is the beginning and the end (Rev 22:13 NIV). To me, that means that He sees it all. He knew where I would be on any given day. He knew my circumstances before I did, but unlike me, He's not worrying and overcome with anxiety because He sees the end. So, once again, I have a choice to make. I can sit here overwhelmed because I can't see the way out, or, I can trust the One who can. Will I choose hope or despair? This leads me to faith which is choosing to believe even though we can't see the outcome. I had to ask myself where I was putting my faith. Hope and faith work together. No amount of striving can earn them. Each one of us has access to them. All we have to do is ask the One who freely gives. Jesus, I know you've written my story and You know how it ends. Everything in this life is temporary. Even though I can't see the end, help me to rest in the fact that You do and I can trust You with my life.

The Lost Sheep

By Eileen Glotfelty • May 11, 2026
A few weeks ago I shared about my estranged child. Mother's Day came and went without a word. I spent the day wondering/hoping I would hear something. I didn't expect a phone call but maybe a text. I told myself not to have any expectations, but I still did. I was almost angry at myself for thinking maybe this year would be different. This morning I sat here talking to the Lord. He wants me to be honest with Him so I didn't try to hide the sorrow and the rejection. I told Him I was hurt and I had to forgive my child once again. He reminded me that I had three other children who hadn't forgotten me and made me feel loved and honored, so why was the rejection of one so painful? It was then I remembered the story of the lost sheep. For those of you who aren't familiar with it, it's about a shepherd who has a flock of a hundred sheep. One of them goes astray and the shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to go find it. It was a gentle reminder that He will never give up on my child and He loves Him more than I could imagine. In the same way, God will never give up on any of us. No matter how much we run or push Him away, He will never leave us. I needed that encouragement, maybe you do too.

The Prodigal

By Eileen Glotfelty • April 19, 2026
For those of you who have a prodigal child, you're not alone. What I mean by prodigal is a child who has turned their back on you and put up walls of defense. It came as a surprise, a shock actually. I should've seen it coming but after years of butting heads, I truly thought we were in a better place. The revelation came in a letter where thoughts and feelings were shared. I felt my spirit being crushed as I read it and my heart broke. I know I wasn't the perfect mother. I had struggles and behaviors that had followed me since childhood. I had resolved never to treat my children the way I was treated, but how many of us know that sadly it still happens, but in a different way. When you have a prodigal, it's not about forgiveness and reconciliation, it's about the pain they feel we've inflicted and they can't let go of it. I keep hoping that some day, things will change but there's no guarantee as it takes two surrendered hearts that are open to be healed. It's been four years now since I received that letter. I have grieved in a way I never have before and there were times I didn't think I would make it through. It's a different kind of grief because you know it can change but it's out of your control. It's been a process and I've experienced rejection, abandonment, guilt and shame but it brought me to a place where I knew it was going to keep me in a prison of pain if I didn't surrender it to God so He could heal my heart. The Bible has a story about a prodigal son. Even though the son went his own way and abandoned his father, his father never gave up hope. When the son had an “aha” moment and realized how foolish he had been, he humbled himself and returned home. This is my favorite of the story: “So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. Luke 15:20 NIV” This is how God greets everyone who returns to Him, no matter what they've done. I pray I would react the same way with my son. If you have a prodigal, my heart goes out to you, but just know that God sees you and your child. He is working behind the scenes as He is a God of redemption and reconciliation. He will heal your broken heart and give you the strength to hold on.