Welcome to the Journey Hey there! I’m so glad you’re here. I’m Raquel, preacher’s daughter, firefighter’s wife, mama, storyteller, and...

It's been a little while since I've sat down to write. Not because I haven't had anything to say. Quite the opposite, actually. Life has been happening so quickly that I haven't had much time to sit down and process everything, let alone put it into words. And if I'm being completely transparent, I'm tired. Not just the kind of tired that a good night's sleep can fix. Although, let's be honest, a full eight hours of uninterrupted sleep would be a blessing all by itself. Can I

This morning, my Lita (grandmother) was called home to Heaven. She was 95 years old. Ninety-five years. When I say that out loud, I know what a gift that is. Ninety-five years of life. Ninety-five years of memories. Ninety-five years of watching the world change, watching her family grow, loving generations of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. There is so much to be grateful for. But today, if I’m being truthful, 95 years still doesn’t feel like enough. Becaus