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

Title: Books About Heaven That Brought Us Hope After Loss (Episode 17)

In this “girlfriends around the table” conversation, Cindy and Vickie share how reading books about Heaven helped them process grief after losing their husbands—and how a clearer picture of eternity can bring real, steady hope today. They talk through a short list of books that shaped their imagination, comforted their hearts, and reminded them that Heaven is not “clouds and harps,” but a restored, vibrant life with God.

1. Why books about Heaven can bring comfort in grief and “spark your imagination” again.
2. A grounded reminder: Cindy and Vickie are simply sharing what helped them (and encourage listeners to do their own due diligence).
3. How your view of the future affects how you feel today—and why that matters when you’re grieving.
4. Personal moments of hope, including Cindy’s “download” image of her husband running and jumping in the mountains.
5. Beautiful imagery from near-death / Heaven-vision accounts: the river of life, peace, and nature that “doesn’t die.”

1) Heaven — Randy Alcorn

A deep, scripture-shaped look at Heaven and the “new earth,” meant to change how we live now.

2) All Things New — John Eldredge

A reminder that Heaven isn’t vague or boring—and that hope grows when we remember “nothing is lost” for the believer.

3) Within Heaven’s Gates — Rebecca Springer

A republished (early 1900s-era) account that brought comfort—especially the imagery of home, flowers, the river of life, and meeting Jesus.

4) My Time in Heaven — Richard Sigmund

A near-death account that emphasizes eternal life—“there is no death in Heaven”—and vivid descriptions of creation.

Also mentioned: Imagine Heaven (near-death experiences; author not named in the episode).

1. 1 Peter 1:3–5 (hope of eternal life / inheritance)
2. 1 Corinthians 13:13 (faith, hope, love)
3. Romans 6:23 and Acts 17:28
4. Acts 3:21 (restoration)

1. “We’re just girlfriends around the table.”
2. “In your grief… remember there is a place called Heaven.”
3. “Nothing dies in Heaven.”

Have a book about Heaven that helped you? Cindy and Vicki invite listeners to email and share what you read and how it encouraged you.

A prayer for listeners: that God would spark imagination, renew hope, and bring an end to the spirit of grief.

After losing a husband, it can feel like a huge part of who you are disappeared too. In this episode, Vickie and Cindy talk about rebuilding identity from the inside out—starting with who you are in Christ, and then rediscovering who you are as a woman with preferences, strengths, dreams, and new courage. They share real examples of learning new skills, making big decisions solo, creating a home that fits you, and trying things you never thought you’d do on your own.

1) Your foundation: identity in Christ

They encourage widows to anchor themselves in “who you are in Him”—loved, free, able to have peace and joy—and to search scripture for every “in Him” reminder.

2) Discovering strength through hard moments

From moving furniture to changing a mower battery, they share how hard situations can reveal capability you didn’t know you had.

3) Learning to make decisions again—big ones

They talk about the reality of selling a home, buying a car, choosing a new place to live, and thinking through maintenance and support—one decision at a time.

4) New confidence: projects, plans, and God’s help

A story about building a sunroom becomes a picture of persistence, problem-solving, and trusting God in the process (even in the stressful parts).

5) Practical faith in real life

One moment of panic—rain leaking into the bedroom—turns into prayer, and a reminder of God’s protection and presence.

6) Permission to outsource + permission to decorate “like you”

They discuss choosing a lawn service (because it’s not your gift), and the freedom to make your home reflect you now.

7) Letting go, keeping what brings joy

When downsizing, Cindy shares a simple filter: keep only what brings joy—and release what doesn’t.

8) Try something new: movement, skills, creativity, travel

Roller skating at 68. Driving the boat yourself. Learning computers. Watercolor. Travel—even solo. These are all examples of reclaiming life and discovering new passions.

9) “Your story is yours now.”

They close with encouragement: the old chapter was real, but a new one is possible—don’t be afraid to pursue a dream.

1. 00:00–02:00 — Why identity in Christ matters after loss
2. 02:00–05:30 — New strengths: tools, repairs, big life decisions
3. 05:30–08:30 — Sunroom story: choosing courage, trusting God through the process
4. 09:00–12:30 — Rain leak + prayer + learning to outsource what you don’t want to carry
5. 12:30–15:30 — Decorating, downsizing, keeping what brings joy
6. 16:00–19:00 — Try something new (roller skating, boating, computers)
7. 19:00–23:00 — New passions (watercolor, travel, Grandma Moses) + final encouragement

1. “I can do all things in Him…”