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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 Remembering a Child’s Innocence?

photo of 3 kids
Remembering a Child’s Innocence Remember when you didn’t think so much? Remember when you knew you didn’t know so much? Remember when you felt naive, curious, and unsuspicious, but not foolish? Whenever I look at the face of a child I’m reminded of their wonderful innocence, their frankness and their fearlessness. They express their awe…

Why Bother Listening for the Funny in Stories?

Several raw potatoes resting on a wooden surface
The Funny in Stories I recently read a book about humor. The author told of how he and his wife take time each evening to listen to funny stories. But the funny stories they listen to are not from each other, neither are they from the funny stories they may have heard from someone else…

Why Bother Experiencing Humor in the Mundane?

a dalmatian dog is standing in a field
Experiencing Humor in the Mundane I enjoy a “good” laugh. Laughing keeps me from taking life too seriously. Laughing reminds me that there is always a lighter side to any circumstance. Laughing reminds me that even though we may experience an awful day, tomorrow is a fresh start.  We’ve all been created with the necessary…

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Communication
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Relationships
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Mental Health
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Health
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Faith