Episode summary

Cindy and Vicki have a cozy, “girlfriends around the table” chat about staying healthy during the holiday season—especially for widows navigating grief, stress, and extra emotional weight. They focus on small, realistic choices (not perfection) so you can enjoy traditions without getting knocked down by sugar crashes, low moods, and winter-time bugs.

• Sugar can hit harder than you expect. Vicki shares how too much sugar can lead to “the blues” the next day—and how that can spiral mentally if you’re not careful.
• Healthier baking swaps (without giving up the joy). Cindy talks about milling whole grains, using honey as a lower-glycemic sweetener, and choosing flours that don’t spike blood sugar like typical white flour.
• Keep traditions—just scale them down. If you normally make “10 kinds of cookies,” make nine. Take a walk. Make small changes that still feel festive.
• Portion the gifts. Instead of delivering a big plate of sweets, give a few per person (still pretty, still thoughtful). Same idea with candy—2–3 individually wrapped pieces can feel special without overdoing it.
• Don’t eat your cookie alone. Their practical rule: eat protein + vegetables (and fruit) first, then enjoy the treat—so your body handles it better.
• Widowhood + stress makes health more important, not less. They encourage widows—especially in the first few years—to prioritize basic nourishment and getting outside because stress can wear you down fast.

This episode isn’t about strict rules. It’s about choosing a little better than last year—one walk, one smaller batch, one balanced meal—so the season feels kinder to your body and mind.

They invite listeners to share your own “stay healthy during the holidays” tips: email questions@widowslife.com and connect on Facebook (A Widow’s Life).

In this heartwarming episode of A Widow’s Life, Cindy and Vickie talk about the little things God does that remind widows they’re seen, cared for, and not alone. From neighbors quietly covering a monthly bill, to a sink that suddenly starts draining, to a squirrel’s silly antics on the porch—these everyday moments become “God kisses” that bring comfort, joy, and provision right when they’re needed most.

The ladies share personal stories:

• Cindy’s neighbors offering to add her trash to their bin, saving her $50 a month.
• A stubborn kitchen sink that, after prayer and patience, simply starts working again.
• A flea-market “booth wall” that unexpectedly clears more than $100 in profit by month’s end.
• A terrifying moment driving with a spider dangling over the steering wheel—and how God helped her stay safe on those narrow Missouri roads.
• God literally holding back the rain over Vickie’s house when her roof was exposed and vulnerable.
• A widowed sister who deeply missed her son’s hugs—and how God sent two young coworkers to give her a hug right when her heart needed it most.

Throughout the conversation, Cindy and Vickie invite listeners to become “God-moment detectives”—choosing to look for the good, name the blessings, and speak life instead of dwelling on the negative. They remind widows that God specifically says He cares for and protects them and that His heart is full of good plans, hope, and abundant life.

Key Scriptures Mentioned:

• Psalm 146:9 – The Lord cares for orphans and widows.
• Proverbs 15:25 – He protects the property of widows.
• Jeremiah 29:11 – God has good thoughts and plans for you.
• Verses about abundant life and “greater is He that is in me” are also referenced as encouragement for daily living.

Takeaways:

• God often shows His care in simple, practical ways—through neighbors, timing, finances, nature, and even traffic.
• Widows can ask God for little reminders—something to make them smile, feel safe, or feel loved—and watch for how He answers.
• Training your heart to notice “God moments” shifts your focus from loss and fear to gratitude, trust, and hope.

Connect with the Show:

Cindy and Vicki would love to hear your God moments and the little ways He has shown up for you as a widow. Send your stories by email—and if you’re comfortable with them sharing it on the podcast, just include a note that says, “It’s okay to share this God moment.”

Christmas can be a tender time when you’re missing the one you love. In this episode, Vicki and Cindy talk about how Christmas is, at its heart, a time of worship—and how turning your focus to Jesus can gently lift some of the heaviness of grief. They share personal stories, practical ideas, and heartfelt prayers to help widows navigate the holidays with hope and purpose.

Christmas A Time of Worship

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Why Christmas is ultimately a season of worship, not just activity
• How choosing to praise God—even through tears—can shift your emotional and physical state
• Simple ways to worship at home: Christmas hymns, praise music, and dancing in your living room
• Using memories (or making new ones) to invite joy back into your Christmas
• Finding comfort and laughter by watching children’s Christmas programs or nativities
• Practical ideas to “choose joy” when getting out of bed feels hard
• The power of focusing on the good, not the “woe is me” spiral
• An encouraging prayer for widows to feel wrapped in God’s love “like a bubble” during the early years of loss
• Permission to cry, release the pain, and then gently move forward instead of staying stuck

Key Takeaways:

• Worship is a choice that can change the atmosphere in your home.
• God has not left you—His presence and the Holy Spirit are with you in this season.
• You are not alone; there is purpose, hope, and new joy still ahead.