Brighter Skies Ahead
Praise for Brighter Skies Ahead
Deep in the frenzy of what Terri so eloquently calls the juggling act years, I had not taken much time to consider the seasons of life that come after this one. However, Brighter Skies Ahead isnt just for those who are already in their final seasons. It is full of advice, great ideas and inspiration for reflection for every stage of life. Its the blast of sunshine you would expect from Terri with an even more important winter life advisory that I didnt even know I needed. Its been a blessing to have Terri as a mentor and now, thankfully, we all have access to her wisdom, wit and generosity.
Ginger Zee, chief meteorologist at ABC News
As parents, we often put our own dreams on the back-burner for a few decades so we can pour all of our energy into raising incredible kids. In Brighter Skies Ahead , DeBoer takes readers on an entertaining, uplifting, informative, and sometimes funny journey, encouraging them to Dream Big as they empty the nest.
Bob Goff, New York Times bestselling author of Love Does, Everybody Always, and Dream Big
Providing a fresh, insightful, and honest look at the mixed emotions parents face when our young adults dont need us anymore, DeBoer taps into the bittersweet moment we say goodbye, knowing life without them under our roof will never be quite the same, but also reminding usand showing usthat our own futures are full of limitless possibilities. Engaging, relatable, and thoroughly entertaining.
Tracy Brogan, Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author and Amazon Publishing Diamond Award Winner for Bell Harbor and Trillium Bay series
As a renowned meteorologist, Terri DeBoer knows how difficult it is to forecast each day of our weather. As a mother and empty nester, she also understands how hard it is to forecast life after your children grow up and leave home. Brighter Skies Ahead offers valuable lessons and deeply personal stories on how to navigate the seasons of our lives with hope, faith, wisdom, humor and inspiration. I predict its going to be like a sunny day for countless readers.
Wade Rouse, Internationally bestselling author of The Clover Girls (Pen Name: Viola Shipman)
As a working mother raising three children, we were running faster than I can now even imagine we were capable of, and then they left on their own life journeys. Terris stories in Brighter Skies Ahead are so timely and inspirational! Just what my husband and I need as we settle down into our next phase of life, rediscovering each other and our evolving role as parents.
Cathy Cooper, Meijer senior director of community partnerships and giving/executive director, Meijer LPGA Classic
Anyone in the midst of empty-nesting will benefit from Terri DeBoers Brighter Skies Ahead . This phase is a natural part of life, so the inspiration and wisdom in this accessible and easy-to-read collection of essays will get you going on you again, especially in a world where theres so much change for men and women everywhere.
David Morris, former publisher, Zondervan Publishing
Although my Empty Nest season started fourteen years ago, it didnt stop me from reading Brighter Skies Ahead now. I recognized myself throughout the book and wish it had been available when I was experiencing those empty nest feelings. I plan on gifting Brighter Skies Ahead at graduationsnot for the graduates but the parents who will be entering the Empty Nest season with us.
Tricia L. McDonald, owner/operator Splattered Ink Press, author of Life With Sally series, Quit Whining Start Writing , and The Sally Squad: Pals to the Rescue
I have been blessed over my career to have the privilege of caring for women through all seasons of life, including the emotionally painful season of emptying the nest. I prescribe Brighter Skies Ahead as an encouraging, uplifting, informative, and entertaining collection of essays that will help parents as they enter a new, and sometimes reluctant stage of their lives.
Dr. Renee Elderkin , OB/GYN, attending physician, University of Michigan Health-Metro Campus, associate professor at Michigan State University, active member on the Board of Obstetrics/Gynecology, active member, American College of Obstetrics/Gynecology
In her debut book, Brighter Skies Ahead , Terri DeBoer takes the highs and lows of empty nesting and articulates these in a way to offer hope, joy, and love for what can sometimes be painful but also exciting times of life. DeBoers book is her journey but gives us the read like My Big Fat Greek Wedding did in a movie... I have been there, I can relate, I have felt that way, I can laugh at myself. I suggest find a cozy winter day, a sunny summer day, or a crisp fall/spring day to enjoy this must-read book!
Christy Buck, executive director, Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan
As a mother of five, the passage to a quieter house happens faster than you think. Time to adjust to new roles and rediscover yourself. Terris stories provide support and strategies in establishing a fulfilling next phase of life.
Peaches McCahill, president of The McCahill Group
Ive already experienced one of my three children flying the coop. The other two are close behind. And while I work in the field of discovering a fulfilling encore stage of life, and can speak on it objectively, I hadnt found a resource to really help me personally navigate this stage in life until now. In Brighter Skies Ahead, Terri provides a light and thought-provoking guide that will help empty nesters (and those of us who are soon-to-be empty nesters) make this transition a little less daunting.
Jennifer Feuerstein, associate state director, AARP Michigan
We will each experience the process of emptying our nest in a different way and in our own time. In Brighter Skies Ahead , Terri takes us through many aspects of that change, helping to identify things that are most relevant for you in building a happy and productive next phase of life.
Julie A. Brinks, vice president and general manager, WOOD-TV/WOTV/WXSP
Terri has been forecasting her whole life, and in this new season as an empty nester and a grandpa, Brighter Skies Ahead is a must-read on my list for what lies ahead! We adapt to any weather; we can do the same for the Empty Nest season.
Rick Vuyst, business owner, Baby Bloomer, author, radio host at WOOD Radio
Ive worked with Terri professionally for decades and have always marveled at her positive attitude. Couple that attitude with her inquisitive nature as a scientist, and she made Brighter Skies Ahead a comprehensive and intuitive compilation of advice for what turned out to be a difficult period for my wife and me spot on . Thank you, Terri!
Steve Kelly, radio host for WOOD Radio Morning Show
Forecasting a Full Life
When You Empty the Nest
TERRI D E BOER
NASHVILLE
NEW YORKLONDONMELBOURNEVANCOUVER
Brighter Skies Ahead
Forecasting a Full Life When You Empty the Nest
2022 Terri DeBoer
All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or otherexcept for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
Unless otherwise noted, Scriptures are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.
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