A Widow, a Pandemic, and Some Banana Bread

Dec 31st, 2022 Grief, Inspiration, Life, Loss Staci Maher Ball

Unfortunately I cannot blame them for their conversation. I have never made them banana bread. Ever. I barely cook for them and the only baking I have ever done for them is out of a box. When you are a widow who has a crazy job, works a ton, and has two kids who are equally busy, there is just no time to bake.

A Widow’s Covid-19 Plea

Apr 6th, 2020 Death, Inspiration, Kids Grief, Life, Loss staciballconsultingllc@gmail.com

How would you like to wake up tomorrow and not have your spouse lying next to you…ever again? How would you like to wake up tomorrow and not hear your child laugh…ever again? How would you like to wake up tomorrow and not have your Mom or Dad to call and ask a question…ever again?  How would you like your kids to wake up tomorrow…

Dear Son

Feb 23rd, 2020 Death, Grief, Kids Grief, Life, Loss, Solo Parenting Staci Maher Ball

I wish your Dad was here to help you get back up, brush off, and take the world by its balls. But he’s not, so my number one priority right now is to help you do this. Before we start the rebuilding process, here is what I need for you to know and remember.

If I had not met my late husband – a Christmas tale

Dec 20th, 2019 Death, Grief, Inspiration, Kids Grief, Life, Loss Staci Maher Ball

If I had not met my late husband, Gordie, in San Francisco in 1996, I would not have married him in 2001. If I had not married him in 2001, I would not have been widowed in 2012. If I had not been widowed in 2012, I would likely still be married. If I were still married, I would not have spent the past seven Christmases as a solo parent. If I were not a widow, I would have lots of help with everything Christmas.

Times Like These

Aug 25th, 2019 Death, Grief, Inspiration, Kids Grief, Life, Loss Staci Maher Ball

My oldest son started high school this week and his Dad was not here to guide him through it. My sons and I have learned to live without Gordie but it’s times like these where we are reminded of the severe injustice that was forced upon us. It is times like these where we fall a few steps backward in our journey through grief. It is times like these where life is a little tougher for us. It is times like these where I am once again pissed at God. It’s times like these where I need to run it out, or right now while I am nursing a running injury, swim it out.

Magical McCall

Aug 8th, 2019 Death, Grief, Inspiration, Life, Loss Staci Maher Ball

Last week I spent a glorious six days in a place that makes me happier than any other place on Earth. This place is a small Idaho town nestled in the Payette forest with a lake surrounded by mountains. Magical McCall.

The Widow Come Back

May 3rd, 2019 Death, Grief, Inspiration, Kids Grief, Life, Loss Staci Maher Ball

Several days later, it hit me. I have my own Come Back story. My sons have their own Come Back story. Every Widow has her own Come Back story. Our stories are not as great as Jesus’ Come Back story but they are pretty damn impressive.