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Tanya Christians met her soul mate during her final year of university in Spring 1999. Although she was only 21 at the time it didn’t take long to know that this guy was the one. Chad Christians was charismatic, adventurous, confident, gorgeous and incredibly kind. He was a talented athlete who made everyone feel better the minute he entered a room. Deeply loved by everyone who knew him, Tanya always felt incredibly blessed that he chose her. Chad had a 2-year-old son when Tanya met him so once they moved in together in 2001, Tanya became a part time step mom. They were married July 2004 and then had 3 children together; a daughter in 2006, a son in 2007 and a second daughter in 2010. They built a beautiful life together in a close-knit acreage community.
Chad was a successful business owner and Tanya happily gave up teaching to stay home and raise their kids. They were incredibly happy.

In 2015, Tanya returned to work as a teacher, first part time because their youngest was in kindergarten and then full time when she was in grade one. It was June of this year that everything shattered. The life Tanya thanked God for several times a week came crashing down. Chad had been having severe back pain which led to his gall bladder being removed. After that surgery, Chad’s intense back pain was still more than he could stand. He had
been seeking medical attention for his pain since February but it wasn’t until June 11th, 2017 that the answer to the pain was found. A moment forever etched into Tanya’s mind. Chad had terminal, stage 4 gall bladder cancer. Despite being told the odds, Chad fought this cancer with everything he had, even seeking private treatment out of country, but it was just too aggressive. To everyone’s devastation Chad passed away 3.5 months later at the age of 41. When Chad moved into the different hospitals, shortly after diagnosis, Tanya moved in with him. She was by his side every moment as his health started deteriorating very quickly. Tanya’s strong faith in God gave her peace and hope during this horrendous time. She started a small, private blog telling her story during the endless hours of living in a hospital. Reading other widows blogs during this time gave her hope as well that possibly she could figure out how to live without her beloved Chad.

Chad passed away September 19th, 2017 at the age of 41. Tanya still lives on their small acreage, is working full time as a grade 6 teacher, has three kids in sports and activities and tries to stay connected to her community.
Tanya hopes sharing her story of how she is choosing to build a life where she and her kids thrive, despite her devastation, will give others hope too. How being intentional with her healing, taking steps of self care, adventures with and without her kids, staying connected to those who love them and a deep faith in God is helping them all to live a whole-hearted chapter 2 of their lives.

You can find Tanya on Instagram @christianstanya and her personal blog www.seekingthelightca.wordpress.com

Recent Posts by this Author

Author Tanya Christians

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Celebrating Christmas

by Tanya Christians in Grief, Hope and Healing, Hope for Widows Foundation, Solo Parenting, Widowhood Journey
December 19, 2020
Grief can be like two sides of the same coin.  It is possible to miss and reflect on what we had, yet also create new memories and decide to fully live again – even through the holidays. This is how ...
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Quote, "Just because someone carries it well doesn't mean it isn't heavy."

My Grief Box

by Tanya Christians in Grief, Hope and Healing, Widowhood Journey
November 29, 2020
I push to move forward and reclaim my broken life.  I want to thrive and build a life full of good memories with my children despite being so shattered by death stealing from our home.  It was three years in ...
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light pink lotus flower in pond

Where is my focus?

by Tanya Christians in Health and Wellness, Hope and Healing, Hope for Widows Foundation, Mental Health, Widowhood Journey
November 1, 2020November 8, 2020
Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.   Philippians 4:8   Sometimes it would be really easy to ...
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Where to Next?

by Tanya Christians in Coping Mechanisms, Grief, Health and Wellness, Hope and Healing, Hope for Widows Foundation, Mental Health
October 9, 2020October 31, 2020
We recently passed the three-year anniversary that my Late Husband left this world for his forever home.  Now Thanksgiving is on the horizon, leaving me yet again reflecting on what I am grateful for and where God has planned me ...
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girl with hands covering her face crying. The words say "You will get through this"

Hope for a New Widow

by Tanya Christians in Grief, Hope and Healing, Hope for Widows Foundation, Widowhood Journey
September 17, 2020
Sacred Clubs This is a club no one wants to ever be in.  The desperate heartache that rips through a new widow can not ever be explained or measured.  The depth of this pain instantly draws compassion from all other ...
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Mountains and Valleys

by Tanya Christians in Coping Mechanisms, Grief, Hope and Healing, Hope for Widows Foundation, Mental Health, Widowhood Journey
August 27, 2020September 6, 2020
Sometimes I see life as a series of mountains and valleys.  I have just come back from another hike.  I have done several overnight, back country, backpacking trips but this one was another special one.  It was extra hard with ...
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Planning for my Future

by Tanya Christians in Grief, Hope and Healing, Mental Health, Widowhood Journey
August 16, 2020August 16, 2020
For I know the plans I have for you declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.   Jeremiah 29:11 I spend a lot of time hiking which allows me ...
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Widow Life is Hard

by Tanya Christians in Grief, Hope and Healing, Hope for Widows Foundation, Widowhood Journey
July 13, 2020July 17, 2020
I am told how well I am doing and how strong I am.  People commend me on the adventures I take and my drive to rebuild my life.  The world looking in sees some one who is figuring it out.  ...
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Angel drapped over a grave with a grief quote

It has been Three Years

by Tanya Christians in Grief, Hope and Healing, Widowhood Journey
June 23, 2020
This has been a hard month. It is a busy month for work as well as there are so many triggers in the month of June. It has been three years and yet June is still a hard month.  It ...
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legs only of a couple hugging

Walking you Home

by Tanya Christians in Coping Mechanisms, Grief, Hope and Healing
May 2, 2020June 19, 2020
One of my favourite inspirational speakers is a child psychologist named Dr. Jody Carrington. She speaks of the importance to connect to our community of friends and family.  We are wired to do hard things, but those hard things are ...
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