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.

In this Thanksgiving Day episode of A Widow’s Life, Vicki and Cindy talk about what it means to give thanks in all circumstances, especially as widows navigating grief and everyday challenges. Drawing from scriptures like 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Psalm 107:1, Psalm 100, Philippians 4:6, and 1 Chronicles 16:34, they remind listeners that gratitude is God’s will and that His love and faithfulness endure through every season. They share practical examples of simple things to thank God for—heat, shoes, eyeglasses, birds, children, and grandchildren—and encourage widows to use worship music, scripture, and intentional thankfulness to shift their mood and invite God’s peace. The episode closes with a heartfelt prayer over widows who may be alone on Thanksgiving, asking that they feel God’s presence, love, joy, and purpose surrounding them like a warm embrace.

In this heartfelt Christmas episode of “A Widow’s Life”, Cindy and Vickie talk about what it means to be blessed at Christmas even in the middle of grief. Anchoring the conversation in Luke 1:37 and 1:45, they remind widows that God’s Word never fails, that nothing is impossible with Him, and that we are “blessed” when we believe He will do what He has said—especially His promises to care for widows, give joy for mourning, and be a faithful husband and companion.

They share personal stories from their own first Christmases after losing their husbands, including how intentionally choosing joy—decorating the house their way, creating new traditions, and refusing to stay stuck in “woe is me”—helped them move through a painful season with hope. Practical ideas include creating a simple Advent calendar of daily actions (writing an encouraging note, calling someone, walking with a neighbor), baking a birthday cake for Jesus to refocus on Christ, planning holiday games and small gatherings, and even exploring Hanukkah traditions as a way to celebrate God’s miracles and light.

Throughout the episode, they encourage listeners to plan ahead, redirect their thoughts toward good memories instead of painful ones, and make the conscious choice each day to say, “Today is the day the Lord has made; I choose to rejoice and be glad in it.” Their message to widows is clear: you can choose joy this Christmas, create new life-giving traditions, and experience God’s presence as your source of strength, comfort, and hope.

In this episode of A Widow’s Life, Vicki and Cindy reflect on what it means for widows to “give thanks” in the middle of loss, especially around the Thanksgiving season. Drawing from pastor Bill Johnson’s story of losing his wife, they share his insight that the “gates of praise” are like pearls—formed through irritation and hardship. They talk about how choosing to praise God in the tension of grief, unanswered prayers, and practical struggles (like big financial decisions or home repairs) can open the heart to His presence, comfort, and provision.

They remind listeners that praise isn’t about thanking God for the hard things, but thanking Him for walking with them through those hard things. The hosts encourage widows to trust God with the “mystery” of unanswered questions, to mourn with hope, and to speak truth and trust out loud over their own lives. They offer gentle, practical ideas for facing Thanksgiving—whether spending the day with family, serving others, or creating something small but special at home—and caution against triggering media that may deepen fresh grief. The episode closes with a heartfelt prayer for listeners, asking God to heal wounded hearts, let His presence be felt, and reassure each widow that she is loved, seen, and not alone.

In this episode, we walk through the seasons of the year and how each one can feel different after the loss of a husband. From spring traditions to summer vacations, fall holidays, and winter celebrations, we talk about simple, intentional ways widows can create new memories—without erasing the old ones.

We share practical ideas for marking holidays in a way that feels safe and meaningful, how to give yourself permission to change traditions, and why it’s normal for your needs and preferences to shift from year to year. Some years you may want to be surrounded by people; other years you may crave quiet and space—and both are okay.

Through stories, gentle encouragement, and faith-filled perspective, this conversation invites widows to honor their grief while also allowing room for new experiences, new memories, and new expressions of hope in every season.

Overview

In this episode, we share the remarkable true story of Sarah Josepha Hale, a writer and editor who spent over 30 years advocating for a national day of thanksgiving. Through her persistence—and in the middle of the Civil War—President Abraham Lincoln issued the 1863 proclamation that shaped the holiday we cherish today. We reflect on how Hale’s vision of gratitude, unity, and hospitality still speaks to our homes and churches now.

Key Takeaways

• Gratitude is a spiritual discipline that reshapes communities, not just a seasonal feeling.
• One person’s steady, gracious advocacy can change culture.
• Thanksgiving invites us to remember God’s faithfulness and make space for others at the table.
• Traditions matter: they anchor families in hope during painful seasons.

Scripture to Meditate On

• Psalm 100:4 — “Enter his gates with thanksgiving…”
• 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 — “Give thanks in all circumstances…”
• Philippians 4:6–7 — Gratitude, prayer, and God’s peace.

Story Highlights

• Who Sarah Josepha Hale was (author, editor, philanthropist).
• Her long campaign of letters to governors and presidents.
• President Lincoln’s 1863 Thanksgiving proclamation amid the Civil War.
• How a tradition meant to unite the nation can also soften and strengthen our homes today.

Reflection & Journal Prompts

1. Where have you seen God’s quiet faithfulness this year?
2. What tradition could you (re)start that helps your family practice gratitude?
3. Who might need a seat at your table this season?

Family & Community Ideas

• Share one “gratitude testimony” before dinner.
• Leave a place card for someone you’re praying for.
• Cook or deliver a simple side dish to a neighbor who’s alone.

Credits

• Story: “Thanksgiving Story — Sarah Josepha Hale”