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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 Receiving Love?

Receiving Love Without the help from the pastor who presided over our wedding, I could not have said my wedding vows. But, as he cut the words into bite sized pieces for us to repeat, we said the traditional vows to each other: “To be my wedded husband to have and to hold from this…

Why Bother Learning from Experience?

Learning from Experience Marriage is a good place to learn from our mistakes. Marriage is a good place to learn from our experiences. And marriage can also be an education in hard knocks.   There was a time when I acted as, “The blessed controller of all things.” I actually believed I could direct and control…

Why Bother Giving 100%?

a couple in the forest with flowers
Giving 100% ? Saying, “I do,” may be the easiest two words for the bride and groom to say on their wedding day. Yet, following through with the meaning of those two words will be the hardest, most challenging and strenuous work of that union between the man and wife.   Literature, music, customs, and philosophies…

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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