Monday Thoughts: Will You Help Me?
UPDATE: I wanted to let those of you know who check back here for an update, that our sweet Holli ended her earthly battle with painful terminal cancer on April 2, 2021. I don’t know anyone who lived life as full of faith and testimony and love for God as Holli, so it was bittersweet and beautiful that she passed away on Good Friday, just days before Easter. Words are inadequate to describe the heartbreak of the last few days as her husband and six kids have faced this new reality, but her family has been comforted and buoyed up by the knowledge that Holli is finally free of pain and suffering, and they are clinging to the knowledge that they are not alone, that God is aware of them, that He will help them, and that they will see Holli again.
Thank you for your overwhelming support on this post and through other means for Holli and her family. Her sister and I read her your comments as they came in – she was brought to tears every time as so many of you shared your own personal challenges. She couldn’t believe over 1,000 of you chose to do something hard for her. It touched her in ways impossible to describe and gave her peace that carried her through her final days as she contemplated that her life and example might have possibly inspired others and maybe even helped change lives in some way.
We love you, Holli! Life will truly never be the same without you.
——–
I’m taking a little departure from my usual recipes today. We’re going straight into Monday Thoughts (never been done before). Just go with it.
I have some things weighing on my heart and mind that I want to share with you.
But first, I want to tell you about someone.
Her name is Holli. She’s an incredibly dear friend of mine (think: soul sister type of friend).
In all my years of blogging, I’ve never dedicated a whole post to a real, live human. Chocolate chip cookies? Yes. Random Friday thoughts? Yes. Special human beings? Not so much.
But today, I need your help. Holli needs your help.
It might not be the “help” you are thinking of, but if you have a minute, stick with me for a story and then a request (spoiler alert: it has nothing to do with money).
The back story: I’ve known Holli for six years – ever since we moved from Minnesota to Idaho. She’s spunky. She’s hilarious.
She’s a truth seeker and a fighter for justice. She’s an amazing mom to six wildly wonderful kids. She constantly serves everyone around her. To know Holli is to love her.
Amid all of Holli’s greatness, she’s had an incredibly challenging life. Not all of the details are mine to share, but suffice it to say, her life has not been easy. Intense infertility, adoption, countless (and I mean countless) surgeries for health issues related to colitis, job stresses, and the list goes on.
Most people don’t know many of these things about Holli because she is in that rare camp of: Fiercely Independent Non-Complainer.
Seriously, if I didn’t love her so much, it would be almost annoying, because she just.never.complains. That girl can fight through pain and struggle like no one else. (And yet, she still listens when I complain about my pigs escaping or my cookies burning.) #goodfriend
About a year and a half ago on top of all the other challenges Holli has faced in her life, after finding a seemingly innocent lump, she was unexpectedly and devastatingly diagnosed with stage 4 internal metastatic mucosal melanoma. This diagnosis came out of nowhere, and needless to say it has rocked their family’s world.
The last 15 months have been filled with immunotherapy, radiation, flights to Mayo clinic for consultation, more treatments, pain, and indescribable stress and worry.
(Not to mention six kids and all of their daily, busy, and often difficult emotional needs.)
Through it all, Holli has remained one of the strongest warriors I’ve ever seen. She has powered through horrific treatment side effects that would easily fell the rest of us, and has quite literally taken on the full-time job of fighting cancer.
She has not once given up hope. She has retained a strong and abiding faith in a loving God who knows her and has a plan for her.
Miraculously, 2020 gifted Holli more than six months of respite, thanks to a combination of immunotherapy, holistic treatments (gosh, I could tell some stories involving slippery elm gruel and tinctures here but I won’t), and a complete shift to a sugar-free and vegan diet.
Last month, things started to fall apart for Holli again. Sudden seizures, many ER trips, and lots of pain revealed the cancer had ferociously spread throughout Holli’s body and into her brain.
She no longer has the full function of the left side of her body and she is in excruciating pain nearly constantly.
And still. She continues to show more strength in her pinky finger than I have in my entire body and soul.
Today, I wanted to give back to Holli in some way. Sure, that can easily be done through their GoFundMe page.
But I wanted to also do something else.
Holli has spent her entire lifetime being strong for other people and using her inner and God-given strength to conquer her greatest challenges, but her body is failing her right now, and she is no longer able to do some of the things that you and I probably take for granted.
Fold laundry.
Braid her daughter’s hair.
Take a walk around the block.
Load the dishwasher.
Send a text message.
I don’t believe it’s healthy or constructive to compare challenges. Hardship and stress and grief is individual. It’s sacred. Hard is hard no matter what you are going through or dealing with.
But if I’ve learned anything from Holli’s situation, it is to look for the good (even on very bad days), appreciate the mundane, and be grateful for each and every day.
And this is where I need your help.
Will you do something for me? For Holli? For you?
Will you do something hard today? Or this week? Something that perhaps you’ve been procrastinating?
It may not be something that would be hard to anyone else, but remember: that doesn’t matter. Your life is your own.
- Maybe it’s getting off the couch and finally running that pesky mile even if you haven’t run in years.
- Or picking up the phone to call a family member who you haven’t talked to in a while.
- Maybe it’s just being grateful that you have the ability and motor skills to fold laundry today.
- Or giving your spouse or child a hug even if you (or they) feel prickly and unloveable.
- Maybe it’s finally ditching the three-sizes-too-small jeans hiding in your closet and buying a pair of jeans that fit your amazing and able body.
- Or saying a prayer for the first time in a long time (or ever).
If you feel so inclined to share, will you leave a comment on this post? Even if you aren’t sure you can do it yet, write your plan in the comments and we’ll be strong together.
I am going to plop myself on Holli’s bed and read all of your comments out loud to her. And let her know that there are people across the world inspired by her story and strength.
Holli does not like attention or being a burden or inconvenience to anyone (if you know her in real life, you know how true that is!), but she does feel as though her life has purpose insomuch as it has inspired others that they, too, can do hard things and be stronger for it.
My BeStrongForHolli goal: finally get through a 30-minute virtual cycling class without falling off and quitting and acknowledge that my body is strong and able (and also give each of my kids at least three 8-second hugs today – our home has been filled with contention lately and I need to be the impetus to changing that). Love you, Holli.
Thank you for letting me take a departure from food today.
I’ll leave you with the words of one of Holli’s favorite songs:
And I, I don’t want to leave a legacy
I don’t care if they remember me
Only Jesus
And I, I’ve only got one life to live
I’ll let every second point to Him
Only Jesus
I have the best readers in the world. Thank you for being here and for all you do to make this world a better place.
Thank you for sharing Holli’s story. She is truly an inspiration to us all. Praying for Holli and her beautiful family. May God rest his hands upon her and give her strength and peace as she fights this current battle.
Her story has encouraged me to fight the negative thoughts that flow through my mind and focus on Jesus who loves me just as I am.
God bless.
Dear Holli, I admire your strength, courage and kindness in every day life and especially during this most difficult time. It sounds like you are a hero to so many. My BeStrongForHolli goal is to complete a random act of kindness every day for a week, in honor of you❤️ I will keep you and your family in my prayers
Hi Holli,
Although I am not a religious person, I am a spiritual one who believes in universal truths. Love being top on that list. You have been truly blessed with all the love you have in your life, and I believe those blessings will continue on for you. Kindness begets kindness, love begets love. It sounds like you are surrounded by both. You are TRULY blessed. I wish you continued love, light, and peace on you life’s journey.
I know Holli’s family well from childhood and I’m just heartbroken she’s in this hard place. We’re praying for you and holding up your sister Christal when she. can’t come to be with you. Lots of love. In honor of Holli, I’m extra grateful for my health and wellbeing and I’ll relish in all the work I can do.
Oh my goodness – what an incredible women Holli is and a great friend she has in you. Holli you sound like an amazing women/friend/mother and wife! Love and hugs to you.
Make all the memories you can with those that love you and you love. It sure sounds like GOD has plans for you and your family.
With love and prayers for Holli, her family and her friends.
From Lisle, Illinios
Susanne
I’ve been thinking of you all day, Holli. I’ve spent the day finding joy in the mundane of motherhood because I know you would give anything to do just that.
Instead of grumbling about tackling the mountain of laundry I had, I felt gratitude as I folded it all thinking about each of the people I love and get to take care of. I wish I could come fold your laundry now.
I made a nice dinner for my family (doesn’t happen on a regular basis) thanks to you and felt gratitude that I can do that. I wish I could come make your family dinner.
Instead of grumbling while potty training my toddler today (it’s been a doozy today in that department) I tried to be patient and loving. I wish I could be there to help your children with milestones they’re facing.
I love you even though I don’t know you. You have an army of people praying for you and My family is part of that army.
Holli,
You’re in my fervent prayers, as is your husband and children. For comfort and for peace. Bless you and bless friends like Mel.
Love, Anna
I’m about to go fold our family’s laundry today, and for the first time ever, I will be grateful for the motor skills to be able to do it. Prayers and love to Holli. Thank you Mel.
Today I will dust off my journal, and I will begin writing in it again. I often feel like my life is not really important enough to record, but there are so many daily miracles, treasured moments, and tender mercies that I do not want to take for granted or forget. My life may be small and simple, but our Heavenly Father’s love is great, and I want to do so much better at being a witness of Him and His Son.
Sending my love and prayers. ❤️
Beautiful post! I started a hard thing just this last week, I went back to school to finish my degree. I’ve been away from school, being a mother for far to long, this is a scary thing! In tribute to your friend, I want to take on one more. We moved to a new place not long before covid hit. Because of that, I haven’t really been able to make friends where we live. Putting yourself out there is hard! But as soon as covid gets better and we can get back to a social life, I am going to remember your friendship and plan a ladies night and try to make some new friendships! I’ll be thinking of your sweet friend and praying for her
Dear Holli, May the grace of God be with you and your family. His Love endures forever! Rosanne
Hi Holli,
Thanks for being such a wonderful friend example of faith a perseverance. I decided today that I’m actually going to get up at 6 to work out before my kids wake up. This is hard for me as I am a night owl and like my sleep. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Your Heavenly Father loves you and I’m sure you have felt His love so much! I’m so glad you have a great friend like Mel and family around you so you don’t have to go through this alone!
God bless Holli. I will pray for her. Your story has motivated me to get up and move for at least 30 minutes today and every day. Holli sounds like an amazing friend, mother and Christian. I’m glad you have one another. Thank you for sharing this story. Please tell Holli we are praying and pulling for her.
Dear Holli,
I am sending you loving positive healing thoughts and virtual hugs to you! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers!
I will honor my health today by making wise decisions and denying what isn’t good for me. Holli and Mel thank you for the reminder and Holli you and your family will be lifted in prayer for peace and tranquility. God Bless you-Prayers up!- Kris in Akron, Oh
Beautiful Holli who I have never met but feel her spirit through your beautiful words about her. My mother had so many health issue while I was growing up. What I remember through all my mother’s health issues, is that it was rare for her to complain. Takes so much strength to be that kind of a women.
So in honor of Holli’s warrior spirit I will step on the dreaded scales.
May God’s blessings abound upon Holli and her family
I will keep reaching out to the people who are difficult for me to serve because it is hard to know if I am making a difference. Sending love and prayers your way.
So grateful for your post and for good friends. Thanks for reminding us how quick and fragile life is and to stop and look for the wonder in it. I’ll think of and pray for Holli! In honor of Holli I will try to stop nagging my kiddos and enjoy who they are right now. I will pick up that guitar that is collecting dust and work my way through a few how to’s on youtube and try and learn a song. I also have a huge toy organization project that keeps getting pushed back week to week in my planner and will dedicate that one for her as well. Love your way Holli. We all wish you and your family the best.
Dear Mel,
I’ve been reading through your recipes for years and enjoyed vicariously your stories about food and family. I lost my senses of taste and smell many years ago to antibiotics so I don’t cook much anymore. I’ve always been extremely impoverished so it was a way of gifting my friends and family for their many kindnesses and generosity, over the years, to make them a meal now and then. I was extremely good at it, as you are,. It was a way of giving back. I was vegetarian and could convert anything – people often couldn’t tell these lunches and dinners were meatless. But You can’t cook if you can’t smell or taste, I came to realize. I read through your recipes because I like to remember what it was like.
I became allergic to gluten, peppers, potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, and citrus, and I was told I could not have wheat, sugar or dairy because of Hashimotos disease. I am extremely sensitive to pesticides, also because of Hashimotos, and can’t eat anything that isn’t organic. I developed lectin poisoning when I turned to a wheatless, organic vegan diet and became very ill. For a long time I couldn’t eat grains or beans and relied on protein supplements made with seed milk. I can’t eat anything with citric acid or maltodextrin in it. It doesn’t leave much. But I don’t have the medical challenges your friend has. I went back to eating goat’s milk cheese and pressure cooked my beans. I can eat eggs cooked in things but they are high in sulfur and to eat a whole egg poached causes a significant reaction. I mention these things because your friend’s diet probably needs to lose its wheat and pesticides, citric acid (very toxic) and maltodextrin (very toxic) if she hasn’t already. Small amounts of egg cooked in casseroles that have a ton of vegetables won’t hurt her. Most processed foods, however, would not be healing for her. I would love to see recipes like this on your website. You could dedicate each one of them to Holli.
I lost both my parents within the last four years to Alzheimer’s (my father) and COPD complicated by severe dementia (my mother) and they both loved life in the way your friend seems to love life. It was an extremely difficult time for both of them but being surrounded by the love of friends and family, even though they could not always remember who we were made all the difference. There is nothing easy about shuffling off this mortal coil, which is a better description of life than you might think. I walked both my parents through their transitions and I can tell you that death is absolutely life’s greatest adventure. Holli is by no means alone when she makes this journey. It is not only Jesus who waits for her, but friends, loved ones who have passed, teachers and guides. A whole new world of experience waits for her there. It isn’t what I would call heaven. Heaven is what we create for ourselves here in overcoming the challenges that life on earth throws at us. Your friend’’s performance in this particular area seems to have been stellar. I am still in touch with both my parents, even though they have passed on. My mother is full of joy and what seems to be excitement, interested in everything that is happening in the lives of her children, all of whom are still here. She was in a lot of pain at the end and is so relieved to have dropped the body. She and my father are often together though they divorced when I was seventeen (trust me, this was a good thing).
I don’t know if this is the kind of reassurance you are seeking for your friend. I must confess that I am not very good at doing things that are hard. I am always trying to find easier approaches to hard things. I find that it soothes the hard times to find pleasure, even gifts, in simple things. I started writing them down, the startling wonderful small moments that were coming into my life from unexpected sources. The longer my list, the more often I received these unexpected but cherished little happenings that truly brightened each day.. You don’t have to be tough and strong to receive a gift. Enjoy what you can while you can, love the ones you’re with. You can love her, give her ease, hold her hand if you can’t give her that. Read to her if she can’t read – light things, funny things. Laughter is a gift that is supposed to be more healing than meditation. It sounds to me that she has been strong long enough and she can now leave that part of her experience to you and others around her who love her so very much. It might be better for her if people didn’t celebrate her by doing hard things. Celebrate her by doing funny things, having moments of laughter that can be passed on, that you know she will find funny when she is able to receive them. My love and compassion and best wishes to you both.
Hi Holli, my thoughts are with you! We have never met but I wish you all the best. I have donated to show my support. Love, Monika
Hi Holli an Mel, I will help. I will be praying for you Holli. Mel you are a good friend. A little about myself, I will try to be brief. I’m a disabled vet and just celebrated my 36th wedding anniversary this year with my wife Mitzie. Last year Mitzie was diagnosed with liver disease. They said she had about a year and a half before it would take her from us, now a little less than year. I always assumed I would go first, but I’m not in charge of such things.
That is why I turned to reading some blogs, to get vegan recipes and recipes for the things Mitzie loves. Keeps my thoughts occupied and between the recipes and my faith I stay strong for her. Jesus is my strength and Mitzie is the true gift of love that he gave. Im over sixty now but Mitzie only grows more beautiful every day. She buoys my life!
Mel, I find your blog and recipes a comfort in a difficult time. I thank you for telling me about Holli and she will be in my prayers. You as well.
My best to all, Larry
Today, I will conquer my mountain of laundry and take special time to hug and/or cuddle each of my kids. I am inspired, touched, and moved by Holli’s story. I knew her sister, Dawna when I lived in Raymond, Alberta, Canada for a short time. She is also an inspiring and faithful human. I now live in Elkford, a small mountain town in B.C.
This week, I will try to focus on my blessings and express gratitude to others and especially to my Heavenly Father. This quote will be my mantra for the week:
“To enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven.” -Thomas S. Monson
Holli thank you for allowing those close to you to share your story and your fight with the world. You are inspiring more people than you realize! My prayers go out to you and your family.
What a beautiful way to lift one another! This post is gold. Thank you for allowing people to fill in a few words that we all need these days! Despite feeling not so well these days, my Be strong for Holli goal is to finish decluttering my closet, bath vanity and school room this week and make some bread for my children today. Life’s flowers are those friends like you both. Thank you for the example and the love expressed here. Offering prayers and sending you all hugs and the best feelings to make today amazing!
Mel and Holli, thank you for sharing your story. I have a wonderful aunt who has been fighting hard against breast cancer for years and is going on hospice today, so I’ve already been thinking more about how I should remember to appreciate all the little blessings in my day-to-day life. Your post only reinforced that message so I just ordered a gratitude journal and am planning to write down my blessings each day before I go to bed. Life is short and unpredictable, and sometimes very hard things happen, so I don’t want to spend another day not being grateful for what I have. Sending love and prayers to you both.
I will say a prayer for Holli today and I will try to overcome my tremors and cut some fruit. I will never forget her story. Thanks for sharing.
I’ve followed your heartbreaking story and videos through Dawna and can only say you are amazing. The picture of you in a wheelchair watching one of your kids in a gym will stay with me forever as a reminder that no matter what we are going through as a mom, our kids want to know that we still care about what’s important to them. We will continue to pray for you! And my hard thing will be to walk with my tween to the neighbors for his piano lesson, even though it’s right at supper time and being gone for 1/2 hour isn’t ideal. May you, your husband, and your kids feel the peace and strength you need ❤️
What an amazing reminder that we havev so much to give and so much to be grateful for! Thanks Holli! Today, I’m going to extend forgiveness to a person who has caused serious issues in my life. It’s hard to hang on to forgiveness, and I’m sure I’ll still struggle in the future, but I’m going to start today. Praying for you to feel God’s peace and love today and a respite from the pain.
Holli, it seems that you and Mel struck gold in the “ golden friend” department. I will pray for you daily, that you may find comfort and respite from your pain, for healing, and for your beautiful family that they abound and flourish in your and God’s abundant love.
There is something that is a hard thing for me. There is an acquaintance of mine whom I have had a hard time forgiving, and I have this hard place in my heart toward this individual. I am going to let it go and soften my heart and spirit toward this individual.
Many blessings on you, Holli.
I will get up early in the cold to go on a walk with my husband tomorrow. ❤️ I will be thinking about this post all day and will especially be treasuring the ability to hug my two little girls-2 1/2 years and 4 months-and let them know how loved they are!
May Holli and her loving family be blessed with an aura of love and strength to guide them through this journey. Mel you are blessed to have Holli as your friend. I do pray for you too to have the strength to give to Holli a lot of love when she needs your love the most… Today I spoke with my husband of 42 years via FaceTime. Sad to say that I am no longer able to care for him because of many medical issues. He is cared for by absolute angels. Due to a strong snowstorm, I doo. not know whether or not I will be able to visit with him tomorrow for 1/2 hour by appointment. This was to be the first time in 3 months that he will have had a visit. This is due to restrictions of Corona virus.
Sending prayers and love to you and to Holli and her family.
Hello, I am sending you a wee bit of my Irish Warrior soul. In the words of my most favorite singer/song writer (or as my family hears me call him “my boyfriend “)Jon Bon Jovi,I’m going to live while I’m alive. If you want to get those toes jamming, have Mel play “One Wild Night ” by Bon Jovi . So many heart felt thought coming your way.
I’am so very sorry for what you are going through. I can tell that you are a brave and beautiful woman that is very close to our God. The Goddess that you have is rare and beautiful in this time that the country is going through. Yet you keep going to be strong for your six children and husband. I can see how unselfish and giving you are in this time of horrible painful time. Tonight I will say a prayer for you Holli and hope you will be able to carry on with your mission of getting better.
Love and prayers for you both, your families and also Mel for giving us the opportunity to take a moment to pray for someone special and to contemplate our own blessings and abilities that we may take for granted. xoxoxo
Today I went for a follow up mammogram for a problem spot that was found six months ago. While checking in, another woman came in for a biopsy. I wanted to offer her some words of encouragement but got called back. I did say a silent prayer for her strength & hope for a positive outcome for her test.
I’ll also hold Holli & her family close to my prayers tonight. Much love to you all.
Dear Holli – I love Casting Crowns also and when this song comes on I sing at the top of my lungs (although to be honest my first impulse is to say this is a Mercy Me song ). I pray for continued comfort for you. It’s evident that you have been blessed with amazing friends and family who I’m sure are cherishing every moment with your beautiful spirit!
Tonight, I will go home and hug the surly teenager, tell her I love her, and request a date to spend more time together.
May God bless and keep you Holli. I’m thankful for your friendship w/ Mel and this post to remind us all of what’s truly important in this life
Mel and Holli: thank you for this beautiful post! My heart breaks a little more each day for Holli. She is my sister. She is so young… her babies and Darin mean the world to her…. she has faced every challenge head on with inspiring faith, and with fierce determination and turned everything over to God and his plan. We have prayed for miracles we have seen miracles and because of her intense belief in our Savior and a loving father in Heavens plan we have felt prayers answered and miracles. When I get on my knees the tears fall thinking of being in her situation and it makes all my challenges, all my fears and all my insecurities fade and reminds of the things I have to be thankful for because when I imagine switching places my heart hurts even more. Than it also makes me more grateful for my blessings for every. little. thing. I’ve been doing all day everyday lately the simple things. My heart hurts that I can’t jump in a car and be there too to hold her, hug her and tell her in person that I love her.. But unforeseen individual challenges face us all in this world especially right now like you said. Holli has already inspired me to hold my children tighter, to cherish them and my husband more intensely. To serve others even when we are in pain ourselves. She has inspired me to face each day with faith and to find the good in the small things. I will be forever grateful for you and all those who have stepped in and taken care of her when we are so far away. With meals, rides, laundry, babysitting everything! She/They have and continue to be so blessed by all of you. Our hearts break that covid has made so many things harder for some of us to be able to come and love our families especially in times like these please hug her for us. Thank you for this beautiful post to find the gratitude in the small and simple things the things we take for granted. Love you Holli♥️
I am sending Holli prayers and love from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. You are a warrior. Keep up the fight. God bless you and heal you. Cherish your friendships.
Holli, I have definitely added you to my prayers, that you might have strength. And thanks Mel for posting this today. Last night I didn’t sleep very well. In fact, I was laying in my bed for 3+hours in the middle of the night. When I woke up this morning I wasn’t planning on getting anything done that wasn’t the absolute bare minimum. I gave myself permission to complain, to be snappy with the kids, and to be completely grumpy. I felt being tired granted me this right. But instead, in honor of you, I will change my attitude, be happy, have patience with my family, get something productive done, and fill my thoughts with gratitude. It will definitely be a challenge, but at the end of today I hope my family feels loved and I want to look back and know that Holli made a difference in my life.
It is so easy to get caught up in the minutia and small frustrations life brings; I want to try to let some of the small stuff go and remember life is precious, time with my family is precious and be grateful that I am here on this earth.
I am in tears reading this post because I know someone who has had their life change in such a drastic way to the point they are still here but very incapable of doing basic life skills. My brother in law primary progressive MS and no longer has motor skills and is in a wheelchair. He was one of my best friends; him and my husband, and I- were the 3 amigos. I feel as tho, I’ve let that go, and don’t reach out like I used to. I know he’s lonely, I know he needs us. I’m going to reach out to him, remind him of how he fights every day to be here and that I need to use that same motivation to keep myself going every day. I’m a stepmom of 2 teenagers that could care less if I’m here, but I adore them. I’ll keep going, and I hope you do too Holli. You deserve to be here, and to be here for your family. Fight like hell, but know you’ve already touched this world and made your mark of love! Thanks for the opportunity to reflect Mel! You’re the best!
Thoughts and prayers for Holli and her family. Sending healing energies to ease her pain and the light of love to fill her with Peace. Blessings for her family whom she loves dearly and sending them all strength of spirit to navigate the events of Life. ❤️❤️❤️
Holli, thank you for allowing Mel to share your story. You are one exceptionally inspiring women. Your openness to God’s love is abundant in your life. Holli, I will open myself to God’s love very deliberately for this week. If you can live your life, I can certainly do this. Thank you for the love I feel God pouring into my heart as I write this.
Dear Holli. You are indeed a bright inspiration to each and everyone of us who has not been faced with anything in your league of challenges! Your dear friend Mel is intertwining your story into a most valuable request for each of us to live in the moment of deep appreciation and gratitude for all that we have had and all the joy we continue to have in both our small and large moments if we only take the time to see them. My mom, who is more dear to me than any other person (next to my husband) had advanced dementia and suffered through two hip breaks, two subsequent surgeries and two successful rehabilitations teaching herself to walk again (twice) both in the autumn of 2020 only to have been taken from us on Thanksgiving Day from Covid. Why am I sharing this with you? She taught me more about living each and every moment to the fullest and your example is another beautiful reminder to do just that. I so appreciate what you are doing for all of us while you meet your challenges head-on. I wish you love, peace and laughter and as my Mom would often say to the special people in her life,” Bless your heart!”. Hugs to you across the miles, dear Holli! Corinne❤️
You are an amazing friend. I will keep her in my prayers. I will also give up my sufferings for her. I have 3 small children, so these sufferings come in a variety of ways and I am so impatient. Thank you for this reminder to simply, love. God bless you.
Holli, I am praying for you and your sweet family. May you continue to have angels surrounding you and miracles to bring you hope. Today, in your honor, I am going to bring dinner to a friend, ignore the messy house and read stories with my kids. Sending all my love and prayers for you.
Dearest Holli and Mel, Your request has challenged me today.I have been feeling so down lately.I lost my job,suffered ptsd (at least our Dr. thot so) with each loss I pulled more deeply into my self than ever.I cannot tell you what I have missed…my two lovely nieces were married and I “just” could not go…my Momma suffered a stroke and although none of my family pointed fingers I “just” could not be there.Time is passing almost 6 years and slowly God is teaching me that He is there in the storm! My despair was nothing compared to the challenges you Holli are facing.I found a wonderful quote by Charles Spurgeon I’ve learned to kiss the waves that crash me into the Rock of Ages” .Holli,we can rest when we know Jesus as our Saviour.He does all things well.Sincerely ,Bonnie Berry in Nova Scotia
In honor of Holli, I’m reading my daily woman’s devotions and dedicating it to her. What a sweet and heartfelt post to share and you hit all the hard truths of life. Thank you for sharing and I’ll be keeping Holli and her family in my prayers.
God bless you Holli and Mel, in your friendship, in the fight for a good, uncomplaining life and the precious kids you love and are raising to love others. I am choosing to sing after 35 years of leaving it in the dust, I’m going back to give my voice to help and inspire others, and you two are just encouraging me to keep at it. Thank you ladies, you are an awesome inspiration! Love, Marisa.
Mel, This is for Holli. I received a very special card from a dear friend a few years ago when I lost my elderly mother. It had so many wonderful reminders in it of God’s love for us that I could not part with it. It sits on my desk as a reminder to me. One of the quotes in it says, “What do we do when we face challenges that make us wonder what’s ahead? The answers are not always easy, and the direction is not always clear. In these circumstances, our hope is in God alone. Our lives and our times are in His hands, and He assures us that He is the Rock we can stand upon through the storm. Psalm 91: 1, 4, 11 says, “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge.” I commit to pray fervently for Holli, her husband and her children and that God would bring His divine comfort to each one. God never wastes a hurt or a burden…He is using this as a witness to someone, and Holli’s faith and strength are a powerful example.
Bless you Mel. Not many ladies have a friend like you. Don’t know how we could have made it thus far without you.
Love you lots. Sylvia (Darin’s Mom)
I don’t know if you are familiar with Horatio Spafford’s story, but your desciption of Holli’s spirit and tenacity reminded me of his. He wrote the hymn “It is Well With My Soul” after losing his fortune, his son and his four daughters in a short period of time.
“Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to know
It is well, it is well with my soul”
Singing this in my heart for you today. May the Lord continue to build you up and provide comfort to you and those around you. And I’m giving you a 5 star rating. God bless you, Holli.
I came to your site today looking for a recipe that would use up the rotisserie chicken I have sitting in my fridge and instead I found this heartbreaking/amazing/uplifting post that has changed the course of my day, probably my week, and if I remember it and the lessons you shared in this post, my life!
I don’t know you personally but I feel like I do after following you for years. You are an amazing person and it is no surprise that you surround yourself with other amazing strong women like Holli. My heart breaks for her and her sweet family. And although I have never met her I prayed for her and cried for her and for you, as her friend. And I cried a little for me too, for some of the hard things that I’m leaving undone because I doubt myself and my abilities instead of just diving in. Thank you for reminding me that life is too precious to waste time being paralyzed by doubt and fear. Thank you for sharing Holli’s story so that others can gain strength and perspective from her strength and perspective and her faith in God. I’m still trying to decide what my hard thing is, but I thank you for inspiring me to ponder and take some action! Prayers and love for Holli ♥️
I’m going to walk around the block holding Gracie’s hand (my 3 year old granddaughter)
EVERY day this week for you Holli!
I will also pray specifically for you Holli, for strength and courage beyond what you already have.
For all the little things to go right! For Our Heavenly Father’s love to continue to fill your hearts and home!