SUMMARY

In this conversation, Chris and Curtis discuss the importance of the lessons that Michal taught Curtis about “Saying the Things”

 The episode covers personal stories and lessons learned from Curtis & Michal’s r relationships, emphasizing the power of words of affirmation and appreciation. They highlight the need to express love and appreciation to others while they are still alive, rather than waiting until a funeral. The conversation also touches on the significance of giving full attention to others and the impact it can have. Overall, the conversation encourages listeners to be intentional in expressing their love and appreciation to the people in their lives.

TIME STAMPS

0:00- Intro & Fun Michal Story

3:30-The Power of “Saying The Things”

8:30- The Impact of Words of Affirmation

15:00- The Importance of Giving Full Attention

30:00-Legacy of Words

Join Curtis & Chris as they cover the period after the funeral, detailing the initial days and months following the loss of Curtis’s beloved wife, Michal.

This episode explores the experiences of grief & support as Curtis talks about keeping his wife's memory alive.

The conversation also delves into the administrative aspects of dealing with the belongings of the deceased.

Curtis shares personal experiences of the emotional journey of dealing with the memories and possessions of his late wife. He also discusses the impact of grief on the children and the importance of preserving memories.

The conversation travels to purpose after loss, as well as the significance of supporting and connecting with others grieving.

Time Stamps

0:00 - Trying to Cope: Immediate Hours & Days After the Funeral

4:30 - The Food Frenzy: Should You Drop Off or Stay and Talk?

6:00 - Long-Term Coping Mechanisms: Weeks & Months After the Funeral

11:30 - Few & Far Between Finding Creative Ways to See the Kids.

16:30 - God’s Faithfulness: How Curtis Reconnected with Michal's Kids.

21:30 - What Do We Do with Mom’s Belongings? Navigating Sentimental Keepsakes

27:00 - A Memorable Oil Change Story

30:30 - Repurposing Mom’s Belongings: Creating Meaningful Memories

32:30 - An Unforgettable Gift: Support for Michal’s Grieving Kids

36:30 - Heartbreaking Moments: How Kids Cope with Grief

38:30 - Life Will Never Be the Same Again: Embracing the New Normal

43:00 - Finding Purpose from Grief: Turning Pain into Purpose

45:30 - Joining the Grief Club: Running to the Hard Together

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Remember, "Running to the hard is better, when we run together"

In this conversation, Curtis and Chris discuss the last moments of Michal's life and the topic of heaven. Curtis shares his experience of being with Michal in the hospital and witnessing her final breath. He reflects on the doubts and questions that arose in his mind about the reality of heaven and the assurance of his faith.

Chris provides biblical insights about the limited information the scriptures provide about heaven and the unspeakable joy that awaits believers.

They share personal stories of loved ones who had similar experiences before passing away and the comfort and peace they found in those moments.

Curtis reflects on Michal's attitude and how she faced her illness fearlessly, providing a blueprint for grief and hope.

The duo also discuss the importance of preparing children for life's challenges and the value of experiencing hard things.

 Curtis shares the powerful story of the funeral and how they made it a celebration of Michal's life by making a bold last-minute move that was nothing short of controversial.

They end with a reminder of the hope of heaven and the assurance that Jesus is preparing a place for believers.

3:00-The Final Moments Before Michal Graduated to Heaven

9:00-Wrestling with Faith & Seeking Assurance of Heaven in Times of Loss

18:30-The Gift of Moments of Clarity Before Death

20:30- An Attitude of Accepting Hard Things

27:30- Moments After with The Body & The List of Last’s

32:30- Honoring Michal in Preparing For The Funeral

39:30 Funny & Normal Life That Still Happens Even at a Funeral

41:30- The Bold & Impulsive Grave Site Decision to Honor Michal

45:30- The Hope of Heaven

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Join Curtis and Chris in a heartfelt discussion on preparing for grief and navigating the emotions surrounding the final ten days in the hospital. This episode covers the rapid escalation of Michal's condition, the points of preparation, and the prayers and community that surrounded them. Curtis shares his journey of coping with unanswered prayers and finding purpose in grief, emphasizing the importance of recognizing individual paths to healing and finding comfort in God's faithfulness.

Reflecting on his evolving understanding of grief, Curtis shares how Michal's fearlessness in facing death transformed his and the kids perspective, further solidifying why death should have no grip on the Christian. As Curtis recalls the final moments before Michal's passing, he emphasizes the significance of having a relationship with God and embracing the eternal perspective. While acknowledging that grief holds no easy answers, he encourages listeners to find solace in the hope of eternity and the belief that this world is not our final home.

Running To The Hard is Easier When You Run Together

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3:30- Hesitation for Treatment and God’s Clear Direction

 8:00- The Beginning of the Last 10 Days of Michal’s Life

 23:40- Is There a Right Way to Grieve?

 31:30- Saying the Things While Someone Is Still Here

 34:29- The Moment Preparing For Grief Becomes Reality

 40:20- Fearlessness & Faithfulness in the Face of Death

 51:00- The Hard Decisions of When to Turn Off the Machines

 55:00- The Practicality of Death Not Seen in the Movies

 58:20- Compelling Questions Michal asks in the Final Days.

 101:30- Forgiveness & Preparing for Heaven

110:00- Scriptures Describing Heaven

 115:30- The Final Day

 119:40- The Blueprint Michal Left For Us Here on Earth

 124:30- Closing Perspective on Grief

In this episode, Chris delves into Curtis's transformative journey through divorce and the challenges he faced from isolation before he met Michal. Curtis recounts his unlikely connection with Michal, detailing how he felt a divine nudge to send a message of prayer despite his initial hesitation. This act of obedience sparked a meaningful conversation, leading to intrigue and a period of one- sided interest for a relationship. 

Curtis highlights several profound “God moments” that proved God’s perfect timing and promises for a new and brighter future in bringing beauty from the ashes.

00:00- Chris’s Embarrassing Admission

07:30- The Struggle of Telling Peers You’ve Been Divorced 

13:00- The Challenge to Make a List

18:00- How to Pull a Friend out of Isolation

26:00- Obeying God’s Promptings

35:30- Getting caught in the “Friend Zone” 

41:00 - The “Dear John Letter” 

48:30 - Trusting God’s Timing For a New Beginning

55:30-  Bonus Audio of Michal’s Facebook Message about Divorce

Welcome to the pilot episode of the Run to the Hard Podcast! Join hosts Chris Farrell and Curtis Christopher as they dive into the powerful origin story behind the mantra, "Run to the Hard," inspired by Curtis's beloved late wife, Michal Christopher.

This episode takes you on a journey through the challenges of Curtis's early life, to a messy divorce, to remarraige with a women he had never met, culminating in a devastating sudden terminal diagnosis that has him & Michal's five children experiencing fresh & painful grief unlike they have ever known.

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00:00-The Restoration of Curtis & Chris's Friendship

03:30-The Origin of "Run to the Hard"

10:00- The "Hard" in Curtis's Early Life

16:00- The Unexpected "Hard" of Divorce & Losing a Child at Birth

20:00- The "Hard" of Growing up without Dad & How God Used it

27:30- The First Coffee Date with Michal & Embracing "Hard" Questions.

30:00- The Men Stepping Up in Church- How to Support Kids without Dad

35:00- The "Hard" of Vetting, Remarriage & a Blended Family.

38:00-  The "Hard" of the Unexpected Diagnosis & Telling the Kids

49:00-  The “Hard” that God is Pushing Curtis to Run Towards

59:00-  “Running to the Hard” with Others & Finding Hope in Christ