I wish to share with you my story of grief and hope that something said will help you to bear any burden you carry. I share because I want to be a witness of what God had done in my life these last two and a half years. I don't have the answers for the pain we suffer, but it is my sincere prayer that as you hear my faith journey, I can be a witness to the one who does have those answers, if you put your whole trust in Him.

In October, 2005, my husband Dick and I celebrated 40 years of marriage with our family. We spent seven glorious days in Hawaii and three weeks later God chose to take Dick home to be with him. I don't understand why, but I do know that God does not make mistakes. God has shown me that He is big enough to see us through the worst of circumstances and show us the purpose He has for us.

November 15 started out to be a nice day. However, rain turned to ice and snow by afternoon. Roads were very slippery by the time Dick arrived home from work. Bible study was not canceled at our friends in Savage.

As we left Savage, Dick chopped ice off of the windshields of 3 cars. He helped 3 women, who had come alone, with their cars and our van. The roads were solid ice. Within 5 minutes while traveling on Co. Rd. 42 toward Burnsville, we hit the curb. I thought Dick had lost control. Looking over at him, I saw him drop his head to his chest. I immediately cried out to God for help. As we sped downhill, I unbuckled my seat belt and grabbed the wheel, doing everything I knew how to do to stop the van, all the time feeling shear panic because I knew that Dick was in trouble .Twice I went off the road into turning lanes, and back on again, without even looking. We went through two stop lights and I don't even remember them, much less whether they were green or red.

The van finally stopped after I was able to lie down and hit the brake. Who was controlling our van on that icy road? Not me alone for sure. I'm not sure I even had my hands on the wheel that whole time. I am convinced that God sent his angels to keep us from crashing.

I hysterically called 911 on my cell phone. I attempted CPR while I waited. Screaming at Dick “Don't you dare leave me”. It seemed like forever for the paramedics to find our location. When they arrived, they removed me from the scene. I called my son Brian from the police car and we prayed together. Brian had just seen Dick as they left work together. “No not dad, not dad.” He tried to calm me down the best he could as I shared with him what had happened. He said “Mom, if dad is gone, it's OK. He was ready.” This brought me my first sign of peace.

Dick did not survive that night. At his bedside Brian led us, through our tears, in singing praises to God, for he knew we could never make it through the days ahead without leaning on God and his comfort and grace.We knew that God would carry us through the most difficult days of our lives. Little did we know how difficult it would get as God revealed His love to us in the following days.

While at the hospital my heart failed. I almost died from Broken Heart Syndrome. My heart could not take the adrenaline rush from stopping the car and the shock of losing my precious husband. After being rushed to Methodist Hospital the doctors there saved my life. After 5 days in the hospital we were able to celebrate Dick's life with a beautiful service at Faith Covenant, all planned by my children, family and friends.

I won't pretend that the last 2 years have been easy. Many challenges have been faced with God in control. Showing me His grace and giving me the courage to pursue His purpose for my life. Through volunteer work and leading a group through the Grief Share Restoration program, I have seen how God can turn a crisis into something with great purpose.

Dick would never say goodbye – only “see you later”. You know what, we will see him later. Do you have this assurance? For me, life has no meaning without knowing God. My hope lies in knowing that Jesus came to give me eternal life. This life is but a fleeting moment, but we have eternity to look forward to. Praise God!