You may be wondering why there is a “Gleanings From Claudia”?  Since mid-January 2011 I’ve been posting Notes to my Facebook account.  These notes come from my grief journey.  On December 29, 2010 my 32 year old daughter Becky died in an automobile accident less than 10 miles from her home.

Throughout my life I’ve expressed intense emotion in writing.  This time I’ve chosen to share those expressions with others.  Many have told of the help and encouragement they receive from “Gleanings” – hence my desire to make them available on a broader scale.

Who am I?  I am a lover of Jesus Christ; wife of Steve – Minister of Suburban Christian Church; mother of Kristin, Becky and Joni all grown young women with lives of their own; mother-in-law to two wonderful sons; grandmother to four beautiful grandchildren; and the friend of many dear women.  I am a life-long learner and desire to grow in my love of God and of people by gleaning from every life experience.  I love the word of God and I love to pray.  I believe that God gives us beauty from ashes and to that end I write.

“. . .to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion — to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.  They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.”  Isaiah 61:2-3