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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 Wanting to be Courageous?

Wanting to be Courageous Do you remember that last time you felt afraid? I remember the last time I felt afraid.  On a recent hike in Arches National Park I felt the queasiness in the pit of my stomach, the doubts that pranced around in my head and the physical instability that accompanies fear.  Fear.…

Why Bother Wanting a Do Over?

two women walking together outdoor during daytime
Do Over There are times in our lives when we get a do over. When the dice hits the floor instead of the board, we get a do over. When the yeast doesn’t “proof” we pour it down the drain and start again. Learning flip turns, I got a do over every time I came…

Wanting Contenment

Wanting Contentment As long as we are alive, we will wrestle with restlessness, imperfection, and feeling ill at ease. We know life is not perfect, but we still strive for the illusion of perfection, but striving toward the illusion of perfection only produces discontentment.  Being perfectly happy right now with where we are begins with…

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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