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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 Wanting to be Loved?

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Loved A very popular theme for movies, plays, poems, and songs is the theme of love. Without having to ponder very long or very hard I can think of the play and later the movie; Romeo and Julie; Love is a Many Splendored Thing; a song by Andy Williams and Love Love Me Do, by…

Why Bother Wanting Support?

two women walking together outdoor during daytime
Wanting Support? None of us do well in life without the affirmation from someone else which is why those who allow others to prop them up so to speak, know best how to prop others up as well. There are a variety of ways to brace, advocate, and champion others. Support can take the form…

Why Bother Wanting Respect?

Wanting Respect To respect someone means treating them with dignity, understanding and as you would like to be treated.  Respect includes extending common courtesy such as saying “please,” “thank you” and “excuse me.” Respecting others means acknowledging a stranger with a nod or a smile.  Do you notice when respect is missing? Do you notice…

Blog Categories

An Elderly Women Eating Salad in the Kitchen
Communication
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Relationships
Family
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Mental Health
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Health
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Faith