Evening Challenges

I sit in my room today watching my angel swaying and I am thankful for so many blessings in my life.  The beauty of the snow today reminds me of God's greatness.  During our support group,  I was asked what people can do to pass time after their spouse has died.  I suggested that be the topic of conversation for our meeting tonight.  What does one do when alone and grieving the company of a loved one?

Keeping busy is usually a good thought, but often our minds and bodies are not cooperating with what we should do.  I remember several years ago a gentleman in our support group stated that he could not stand to stay home in the evening after his wife died.  He would make the rounds to all the coffee shops just to have company.  By the time all the coffee shops were closed, he was tired enough to go to bed and sleep.  I do believe he met a wonderful lady in one of those shops which he later in life married.  This is not a recommended solution for everyone, but for him, it worked.

Everyone has a different goal in life and an idea of how they may be able to survive this grieving syndrome.

Some suggestions or thoughts would include:  Crafts, crocheting, knitting, scrapbooking, painting, puzzles, coloring, etc.  You could also start to blog (it is a wonderful stress relief.... ).  I have also found that writing your daily "Dear God Letters" is a wonderful thing to do in the evenings... thanking him for your day and the blessings you noted for that day.  If you  are a reader, it is a quiet time to read your favorite book or watch all the wonderful Hallmark Christmas movies. Putting puzzles together also passes a great deal of time in the evening.

These are just a few things that you can try to see which one is beneficial to you.  Evenings are also a great time to eat with a friend, volunteer to help someone who needs it, run errands for someone, or a time to clean those closets.  The problem is most of the time our grief saps our energy so that we do not want to do anything.  A perfect time to talk with God.

Fairytale Magic

  "If you can see the magic in a Fairytale, you can face the future."  Danielle Steele

During the Knapp Memorial Service Sunday, I asked for you to do some homework and let me know what you have discovered about childhood fairytales, etc.  Please share your findings.... I am anxious to hear from you.

Glory and Praise

This is a blog which I hope will give you a little faith and inspiration.   My mom has been staying with me a few months during a convalesing period.  From the beginning I was not sure I knew how to care for her or even if I could.  Our house is not necessarily built or arranged for such not-so-easy times.  I began this journey by praying that God would be with us, would give me strength, would provide healing, patience, and love.  It has been an interesting journey.  When I needed something... it was there.  When I needed help..... it was there.  When I needed patience.... I took a deep breath and it was there. We have discovered how to do many things... including climbing stairs.  Every day I thank God for his presence in our lives and for his healing hand.

 Tuesday I heard on the radio and TV  that the area should be prepared for this very large amount of rain.... my prayers continued.   My thoughts were that we just could not handle the day where our energies would be focused solely on a basement of water and pumps.  Wednesday morning I awoke to water surrounding the farm buildings and the drainage ditch full of water, which is always a sign of  danger in the basement.  We immediately went to the basement to begin our day long routine of pumping and mopping to find it.... you guessed it.... dry!  How can that be?  God heard our prayers and I am forever thankful.  I truly give him glory and praise for that miracle on a day when we needed it.  I continue my prayers for everyone who has been effected by the high water this week.