AlethaStienstra

I live in Gowrie, Iowa. We moved from NW Iowa (Hull) 9 years ago. My husband and I were born and raised in that little Dutch community tucked just 45 minutes from 3 state borders. We lived all our married life (33 plus) on 4.4 acres just 3 miles from our families. Moving was difficult but my husband insisted on being closer to our daughter and her family! A teaching job took her from NW Iowa to Central Iowa. We were barely settled — 3 years into the move when he died. Gowrie is a small town located about 1 1/2 hours north of Des Moines. I teach K12 Talented and Gifted Students in the local school district and coach some girls basketball on the side! I serve as a chaplain for my church and before my husband passed away we frequently did marriage mentoring mission work in other countries with a group called International Messengers.  His sudden passing from a massive heart attack at 59, rocked my world! I was not supposed to be a widow at 57!  But here I am almost 6 years later walking the grief journey and learning how to move forward!