04/26/2026
April 26th is a day I have dreaded for the past six years.
It used to be a day full of joy and even a bit of family humor. My grandpa’s birthday was April 27th, and when I was nearing the end of my pregnancy, I really wanted my son to be born on his birthday. Instead, he arrived on April 26th at 11:47 pm—just 13 minutes shy.
My sister did the same with her son, She had Ethan on April 26th and now even my future son-in-law shares this date. It’s funny how that worked out. My grandson was born on April 28th, so I guess April 27th will always belong to Grandpa.
But six years ago today, everything changed.
This is the day we lost Lissy.
A day that once held laughter became the line between my “before” and “after.” Every year, I feel it coming, like bracing for something I can’t stop. And while I know where Lissy is, and I hold tightly to the promise that I will see her again, the truth is—some days, I’m not okay.
Not a day has gone by that I haven’t thought about her. Some days I laugh, remembering her incredible laugh. Other days, I cry because I miss it so much.
I treasure the memories we shared—those sleepless nights with our newborns, laughing until we were delirious.
Those moments are priceless to me.
We talked often about faith, about heaven, about salvation. I know she is more than okay now. I know the God we serve loves her more than we can comprehend.
The same God who knew all of our mistakes and still chose the cross. Jesus died for Lissy just like He died for me—and for you.
Addiction is a horrible disease. It takes some of the most beautiful people and leaves behind a hole that can never truly be filled. As an adult, I still struggle to process that grief. I can’t imagine the pain of a child losing their mother.
But through it all, God has continued to guide me.
This year has taken me in an unexpected direction—one that has been a true blessing. I get to see Malachi almost every day. I’m surrounded by people who feel like family. God knew exactly where I needed to be.❤️
💜 Lissy’s Legacy of Love is still going strong.💜
Even when I thought we needed to scale back, we somehow helped 14 more kids this past Christmas than the year before. I don’t know how—but God made a way, like He always does.
We’ve completed our Easter baskets, and coming up we have:
• A golf outing fundraiser
• A back-to-school supply drive
• Birthdayw celebrations for kids ages 1–18
• Christmas gifts for children
We even now have an office space, thanks to someone who believed in our mission.
It was totally unexpected. We got the office space within 24 hours of me being asked if I wanted a substitute opportunity at the school. We have been praying for five years for an office—God’s timing is truly perfect.
We still have some projects we are working on in the space, but it’s coming together nicely. God provided an office space and is supplying the utilities every month. What a miracle that is!
God figured out all the details without my involvement—lol. I guess it goes to show I can surrender my needs to Him, and He will provide without my advice.😉
On April 26th, I try to focus on family. I try to do something special—because that’s what Lissy would have wanted. And yes, I will cry today. That’s part of grief. It never really leaves.
But I am determined not to let grief stop me from doing what God has called me to do.
So today, hug your family a little tighter. Do something kind for someone you don’t know. None of us are promised tomorrow.
If you don’t know Jesus, I encourage you to think about eternity. As long as these six years have felt, they are nothing compared to forever. And I will have eternity with Lissy. If you want to learn more about how you can get to Heaven please message me.
Please keep families struggling with addiction in your prayers. Somewhere tonight, a mother is waiting for a phone call, or crying herself to sleep with worry about her child.
You are never forgotten, Lissy. 💜
