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For Terese Luikens, a picture-perfect childhood it was not. Frequent moves. An emotionally absent mother and an alcoholic father. Suicide.

The sixth of seven children, Terese grew up in an unstable and chaotic household—invisible to her mom yet cherished by her alcoholic dad, who took his own life when Terese was thirteen years old.

This heartfelt memoir documents the chain reaction of a tumultuous family history. From her stormy childhood to the far-reaching effects of her father’s suicide, Terese shares her inspiring journey to escape the shame of her past, find healing and love, learn to trust, and discover faith in a real and personal God.

Terese Luikens

Meet the Author

Writer Terese Luikens contributes articles for Mother Earth News, The Secret Place, Decision Magazine, The Upper Room, Hearts at Home, and the Epoch Times and publishes her own blog, Why Bother? A schoolteacher and a yoga instructor, Terese lives in Sandpoint, Idaho, with her husband and enjoys being mother to three grown sons and grandmother to her much-loved grandchildren.

Latest Blog Posts

Why Bother Enjoying Our Freedom to Enjoy?

 Our Freedom to Enjoy Everybody’s idea of enjoyment is different. For instance, my husband enjoys sitting on our back deck watching the birds feast at our bird feeder. Or recently, while listening to a live street band, he took pleasure in watching all the people talking, dancing and interacting. The key word here is watching.…

Why Bother Relishing Our Freedom of Movement?

Freedom of Movement It is high summer and the season and a reason for us to take a road trip.  Traveling by car is our favorite and still the freest form of travel getting us from point A  to point B. Unlike planes or trains, my husband and I decide our time of departure, and…

Why Bother to Value Our Freedom to Forgive?

illustration of 2 kids on a balcony near the sea
Freedom to Forgive  Did you know that forgiving someone does not require their participation, cooperation or concession? We can forgive them, let them off the hook, and clear their debt of what we think they owe us without their authorization, authority, or blessing.  When I forgave my father, who was already six feet under ground,…

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Communication
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Relationships
Family
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Mental Health
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Health
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Faith