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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 Staying Bouyant?

pool
There is something about the smell of chlorine, and the warm moist air that greets my body when I enter the door to the pool at our local club. I know the lifeguards and we always exchange a brief and friendly greeting. And since I am one of the early morning swimmers, just the sight…

Why Bother Letting Go?

practice yoga anywhere
When I committed to the 200 hours of required instruction to become a yoga instructor, I had no idea if, when or where I’d have the opportunity to teach. But shortly after receiving my certification, an opportunity presented itself.  A friend, who at the time was teaching a yin yoga class, asked if I’d like…

Why Bother Learning from Dread?

woman at the beach with a hat
Not too long ago, I experienced a bit of dread. In a public gathering, a casual acquaintance approached me and in a short amount of time, lamblasted me with both barrels wide open accusing me of something I’d not done. To say the least, it was unsettling, knocked me back and for a while, robbed…

Blog Categories

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Communication
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Relationships
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Family
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Mental Health
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Health
Faith