January 27, 2026

Horrible day, absolutely horrendous!

It didn’t start out that way — I called Mom this morning. She seemed upbeat. She has another appointment coming up, and after that, she should finally be cleared for surgery. Early March, most likely. I told her I’d make it work, no matter what—just to let me know when it’s scheduled and I would come down.

Kendall came to install my blinds and they are fabulous. Living room is starting to come together.

Late afternoon around 4:00 everything changed. Mom called me. I immediately knew something was wrong by the tone of her voice. She started talking about how she’s realized she’s treated people in the church poorly. Especially some of the children. Then it shifted to how she hadn’t supported Lara. She went on and on, a long confession about what she had done to other people.

 In the middle of the call, Lara piped up and immediately began lecturing me. About Mom’s upcoming surgery. About how, if I came, I would need to come with the “right attitude.” About how I would not be the one staying overnight with Mom in the hospital—she would, as if I were begging to spend a night in the hospital. I almost laughed.

 I know exactly what’s going on. The church is back to targeting to my parents now that Dad is no longer the pastor. I’ve been worried that would happen but didn’t think it would happen this quickly.

And, it didn’t just start today or this week. It’s been brewing for a while.

I think it started back in October because that was when Dad called me to tell me he had “heard” that I was disrespectful to Lash during Dianne’s cancer. He couldn’t even tell me what I had said—just that it was around the time of her last oncology appointment, when the doctor told her there were no more treatment options.

 I remember that day very well. I was upset with the Dr – not anyone in the family – I don’t think any dr should tell someone there is no hope.

I guess Lash thought I was upset with her, although I’m not sure how. Still, I called and apologized — “I’m sorry if it came across like I was upset with you. I wasn’t. I’ve always believed you – and everyone in the family - did everything we could for Dianne.” And, that’s the complete truth. I will always believe that.

Lash’s response: “Kimberly, I don’t hold anything against you.”

I HATE that phrase. It’s so fake and meaningless. I heard people say it a million times growing up. Why, WHY would she say that??? I didn’t imply I thought she held anything against me, never even thought it. Usually when you assume things, there is a reason. Made me wonder if she really does hold something against me. 

But, I digress …

After the call with Lara and Mom I cried like I haven’t cried in ages.

An hour or so later, Mom called back. She told me she didn’t like the way I had spoken to Lara. She made a point to say that none of what’s happening is Lara’s fault—or the church’s. Her sentences ran together, and if I didn’t know Johnson Chapel speak, none of it would have made any sense. She told me I could call Dad if I wanted to know what he did. Odd comment that prompted me to ask her where she was. She’s at Lara’s. The CHURCH has separated my parents AGAIN --- I’m in shock. I kind of expected Mom and Dad to be targets again but I did not expect them to have to separate.

I checked Life360, and it looks like she has been at Lara’s since January 3rd. Her phone hasn’t pinged at her house since then.

I called Dad. He, like Mom, went into a long confession … on and on and on. I stopped him after a while. He was bawling, so broken and emotional. I told him that nothing he said justified what was happening. Everything he cited had been done to Lara, Les, and me when we were kids. He wouldn’t listen though. He ended the conversation after saying he would not listen to me talk badly about the CHURCH.

I can’t stop crying and I hate crying. It’s the worst. How is this happening now? I’m terrified it’s not going to end.