Eagle Flight Ministries, founded by Cindy Martin of Steelville celebrated thankfulness at November's widows' luncheon. Each month Martin along with her team of volunteers host a luncheon for any widows in the Steelville community and surrounding areas. November is always a good month to focus on what we have to be thankful for in our lives even after the loss of a loving partner. The cooks at Golden Echoes prepared a traditional Thanksgiving feast serving up turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, hot rolls, mashed potatoes and gravy along with a variety of desserts. After the ladies enjoyed their delicious meal they sat back and listened to a guest speaker Cindy Winters, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Healthcare Consultant turned coach with a certification in Health and Wellness Coaching from Duke’s Integrative School of Medicine.

Winters shared her story of surviving the devastating tragedy in 2009 that took her husband. It was a church shooting where he was a pastor. He lost his life to a gunman as he stood at the pulpit giving a sermon about love. Becoming a widow at any age no matter how many years of marriage is devastating. Loneliness, grief and broken hearts often leave widows feeling isolated and lost without their partners. Winters spoke with the women in this season of Thanksgiving about finding blessings through gratitude even in grief.

As she expressed, “Even in the times when it's the darkest and it's the hardest to see the light, there's always something to be thankful for." Winters continued, “There's always good even in the midst of some really terrible tragedy and loss. It's harder to see; but when we find it, it's really a blessing, it's beautiful.”

Everyone left with a full belly and a heart full of gratefulness for the companionship and love they receive each month at the widows' luncheon.

Martin encourages the widows to talk with one another and develop friendships. She always lets the widows know how special they are and that they are not alone. Eagle Flight Ministries is always available to help in any way they can. The meals are always delicious and nutritious. The widows' luncheons couldn't happen without generous support and donations from the community.

For more information, to donate or to invite a widow to the monthly luncheons, contact Martin at 417-986-0213.