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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 Being Aware of Cultural Humor?

crowd, men, women
Cultural Humor Whether you are from the South, the Northeast, the Southwest, the Northwest or the Midwest, you have your own flavor of humor. Whether you are male or female you have a particular take on humor. If you are a construction worker, truck driver or window washer, what your group finds funny will differ…

Why Bother Laughing With Others?

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Laughing With Others I enjoy a good laugh, and sometimes, while by myself, I will snicker at something. A phrase from a book I’m reading, watching the squirrels squirreling around in my yard, or noticing the neighbor’s cat waiting on the ledge of their owner’s bedroom window willing them to wake up and let it…

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…

Blog Categories

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Communication
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Relationships
Family
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Mental Health
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Health
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Faith