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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 Valuing Feedback?

Why Bother Sharing Your Story?
Valuing Feedback Our choices are our choices. But when someone affirms, acknowledges and agrees with a choice we make, then it gives us the assurance that we are on the right track. But, what happens when we want affirmation from someone and that affirmation is absent? Not everyone will agree with all our choices all…

Why Bother Wanting Acceptance?

Friendship
Acceptance Being accepted by others is comforting. Knowing that we matter to someone is satisfying. Being approved of is gratifying. But, being accepted by others begins with accepting ourselves.   Early in our lives, if we were fortunate enough, there may have been someone such as a parent, grandparent or maybe a teacher, who saw what…

Why Bother Wanting Someone to Listen to Us?

old black and white photo of a man and a kid
Wanting Someone to Listen? It’s a new month with a new focus for my blog; why bother wanting… We all want something from someone. But these wants have more to do with heart longings than material belongings. One thing most everyone wants is for someone to listen to them; face to face and heart to…

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