In this episode of A Widow’s Life, Vickie sits down with her friend Esther Murphy in Branson, Missouri, for a real, hope-filled conversation about grief, faith, and the steady strength Esther has found in Jesus after losing her husband, Dan.

Esther shares the story of Dan’s heart struggles, the “extra years” she views as a gift from God, and what it’s looked like to keep moving forward—through medical trauma, work changes, and even hard shifts in family relationships—by putting God first.

1. Dan’s long heart journey—blockages discovered young, and how Esther saw God’s hand in keeping him going for decades.
2. “The widow maker” and the final hospitalization—and the moment Esther’s family faced the hardest decision.
3. “God gave me 28 more years”—the gratitude that fuels Esther’s resilience today.
4. Esther the “hug dealer”—why her hugs are more than comfort; they’re love and faith in action.
5. Seeing Dan’s presence—how Esther describes sensing him still with her in daily life.
6. Remembering the “Candy Man”—mints, salt & pepper, and the quiet “behind-the-scenes” love Dan gave to others.
7. When family dynamics change after loss—and how Esther handles the hurt: prayer, surrender, and letting God repair what she can’t.
8. The bottom line: “We put our strength in Jesus Christ.”

1. Widow benefits / widow pension (Esther’s experience applying after Dan’s passing).
2. Career transition after grief (job role changes and hope forward).

1. “God gave you… 28 more years.”
2. “I put God first—and everything falls in place.”
3. “Every morning I see Dan… I can feel his presence.”
4. “We put our strength in Jesus Christ.”

If you’re walking through widowhood and things feel unstable—health, finances, family, work—this conversation is a reminder that you don’t have to “power through” alone. Esther’s story points to a faith that doesn’t erase grief, but holds you up inside it.

If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend who needs hope today—and leave a review so more widows can find this community.

Podcast: A Widow’s Life with Vickie and Cindy