"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted" Matthew 5:4

Lord where is your comfort?

s there really a blessing in pain? "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted"? You mean God is going to use this pain? You mean my hurt has a purpose? You mean one day the deepest wound I've suffered in life will be used as the greatest source of healing for someone else? You mean God is really going to make this journey of grief my story?

Life starts out simple and offers no road map to your destination. Along the way you learn faith by releasing fears. Nothing ever comes easy, yet the struggle seems effortless. The day my mother died I found a strength I never knew I had. I found a faith I never knew existed. How can you be made whole when your entire life is in pieces? Surrounded by darkness, held together by fear. My life had suffered a painful blow that I wouldn't even understand the magnitude until almost 5 years later. Nothing at that moment seemed fair or real about God. I immediate settled into a new role of "nothing". I hated waking up each day. I was afraid of killing myself, so each day I would wake-up almost in disbelieve and frustration that was I alive. How do I live without my mother? I lived moment by moment. No real plan in place. I went and did whatever I felt. I was so unstable. My foundation was snatched from under me. I really didn't know what to do, so, I really did nothing. "Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning" took on new meaning. You see morning didn't come the next day after losing my mother. It took 10 years after her death just for me to be able to endure the night. 16 years later the morning finally came.

Give yourself time healing comes daily. The pain takes a longer to ease. Grief has found you. Trust God.

Written by Rachel Renata

Mother's Day 2019 Restaurant Specials

iven the popularity of Mother’s Day brunch and dinner, it’s key to make your plans and reservations early. So we’ve rounded up the best Mother’s Day restaurant specials for 2019.

Whatever your plans (brunch, lunch or dinner) and whatever your budget, check out your options below. Our savings specialists will be updating this list as Sunday May 12 gets closer.

If you’re looking for the best Mother’s Day retail sales, check out this roundup.

Note: Participation and pricing may vary by location and franchise. Be sure to call your preferred location to confirm details.

99 Restaurants: The chain will serve a special Mother’s Day menu on May 11 and 12, featuring Twin Petite Filet Mignon, fresh New England Baked Scallops, Colossal Lobster Rolls and more. See the menu.

Bravo Cucina: Enter the Italian Getaway sweepstakes for a chance to win a trip for to to Ravello in southern Italy. Enter here.

Bruegger’s: Heart-shaped bagels will be available for purchase on May 12, while supplies last. Available in blueberry, plain and cinnamon raisin. Locations are accepting pre-orders now through May 11.

California Pizza Kitchen: Heart-shaped pizzas for Mother’s Day are available May 9 through May 12. Order any of your favorite CPK pizza varieties, and get it on a heart-shaped crispy thin crust at no additional charge. Plus, during those same dates, CPK will donate 20% of food and non-alcoholic beverage purchases to March of Dimes. To support this fundraiser, just mention to your server that you’re dining to support March of Dimes.

Capital Grille: The Mother’s Day Prix Fixe brunch is $49 per person and includes options such as lobster frittata, steak and eggs, and chicken and waffles. Children’s brunch is $15.

Casa Ole: During Mother’s Day weekend (May 10 to 12), get $1 strawberry margaritas (with purchase of an entree) at participating locations.

Charlie Brown’s: Get a three-course Mother’s Day dinner, with choice of appetizer, choice of entree and access to the Farmers Market Salad Bar. Prices start at $22.99. See the menu.

El Torito: Mother’s Day champagne brunch will be served 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Highlights include a carving station, made-to-order omelettes, a waffle station, bottomless mimosas and more. Prices vary by location. See details.

Fleming’s: The restaurant will open at 10 a.m. on Mother’s Day and serve a $30 three-course brunch menu for adults and children. The dinner menu will also be available all day long.

Eddie V’s: The three-course Mother’s Day brunch is $49 and will be served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 12. Entree choices include steak and eggs, lobster quiche, shrimp and grits, king crab omelet, and fried chicken. Brunch cocktails are $9. Children’s menu and dinner menu also available. See full menu.

Fogo de Chao: Have brunch with Mom on May 12, and receive a complimentary dining card that’s valid May 13 to July 11 (Sundays through Thursdays only), good for one full Churrasco lunch, Sunday brunch or Full Churrasco dinner. Excludes holidays including Memorial Day, Father’s Day and July 4. One card can be redeemed per party.

GrubHub: If Mom would prefer to order in, order from her favorite restaurant via GrubHub. New customers get $5 off.

Macaroni Grill: Enjoy Mother’s Day brunch from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with specials such as caramel apple & walnut french toast, eggs benedict and much more. Entrees start at $13. See full menu.

Maggiano’s: Mother’s Day family style brunch or dinner is $27.99 ($12.99 for kids 5 to 12). Choose from different salads, starters, entrees and desserts.

The Melting Pot: Each location will offer its own Mother’s Day specials. Check with your nearest location for details. Many will be opening early and offering a Prix Fixe menu with Mother’s Day specials.

Mimi’s Cafe: Brunch starts at 7 a.m. on Mother’s Day, and a three-course menu will be served 11 a.m. to close. Adult meals start at $19.99, and kids’ meals start at $10.99. See details.

Morton’s The Steakhouse: Dine in on May 12 and get the Steak & Lobster Oscar for $59. See details and make reservations.

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse: The Mother’s Day Surf & Turf special starts at $49.95. Or, order from the Spring Classics menu. Ruth’s Chris will open early (12 p.m.) on Mother’s Day. See details. Plus, all moms who dine in will receive a $25 gift card for a future visit.

Seamless: Avoid the brunch and dinner crowds on Mother’s Day, and order in from mom’s favorite restaurant. New customers get $10 off orders over $50.

Seasons 52: The Mother’s Day three-course brunch is $29.95 and will be served 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Mother’s Day. Plus, enjoy $6 Mimosas, Bloody Marys, Angria and white peach or raspberry Champagne Bellinis. See the full brunch menu.

TCBY: Moms get a free 6 oz. frozen yogurt (cup or cone) on Sunday May 12.

Texas Roadhouse: The chain is running a Mother’s Day sweepstakes. The winner gets a trip for four to any Beaches resort. See details.

addy you are greatly missed. You are missed by your entire family especially by me. I got up one morning and went to visit you. I dressed like nothing happened, drove all the way to your house expecting to see you. Expecting to see you sitting on the porch drinking your morning coffee. And ... you ...weren't there.

I even entered the house expecting to smell the auroma of hot coffee and and Cuban cigars weren't there. I went to the back of the house thinking you were in your usual spot sitting on the back porch looking for the fresh apple peelings or the daily newspaper you usually read. You weren't there.

I walked in the backyard and you weren't tending your garden of tomatoes, onions, okra and corn you grew ...

I realized we didn't get to have our morning talk. I turned around, bowed my head and started to cry. I then took a deep breath and said; "Father I Missed You"

- Happy Heavenly Father's Day-

Love Melinda