About
Hi, I'm Karen!
Involved in the graphic design industry for over 25 years, I eventually worked for a magazine as their production manager, art director, designer and proofreader. It furthered my love for the written word and allowed me a creative outlet as well.
A few years after retiring, my world was shattered by a car accident that caused the
sudden death of my daughter, Taylor, who was twenty-one at the time. The way God responded to this tragedy, with miracles and mercies, is worthy of being shared. All that God taught me through the grief that followed can relate to any mom who has lost a child. Over time, my journey became how the events in Taylor’s life—and death— affected and shaped my own.
I Learned That...
we can survive even the death of a child and come out the other side of grief with strength and purpose—but only if we place our lives in the hands of God. He is the only true source of hope. My prayer is that my story will be an encouragement to those who are struggling and searching blindly for answers, seeking help for their pain.
Through this tragedy, God transformed my life. This same free gift of grace is available to all who call on the name of His Son, Jesus. I clung to my growing faith through heartbreaking setbacks and finally experienced the exquisite joy found only in a relationship with our living Lord.
All I had to do was look at Jim’s face. Even though deep inside me I knew, I still asked, “What is it? What’s wrong?” Jim just stood there and looked at me, tears running down his face. In a small, trembling voice I asked, “Is it Taylor?”
"Through the unimaginable—the death of my daughter—God was transforming me from being a believer into becoming a fully-devoted follower of Christ."
Never Alone
The tragic and sudden death of Karen Gruden’s twenty-one-year-old daughter, Taylor, ushered in a long period of darkness for the grieving mother. Years of deep grief and constant pain left Karen certain she was doomed to perpetual hopelessness. But to Karen’s surprise, her shattered heart became a starting point for a new journey with God, beautifully healing and sustaining her. Never Alone chronicles Karen Gruden’s transformation from brokenness to wholeness—from believer to fully devoted follower of Jesus. No longer defined by tragedy, Karen shares her emotional and inspiring story of beauty from ashes, emerging on the other side of grief with strength, purpose, and joy.
Psalm
121: 1-2
" I lift up my eyes to the mountains where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Something went wrong."