Hello again, after a too-long absence, for which I do apologize. Time has a way of slipping by, and before you know it, it's been way too long since I've posted.
Today is a significant day for my family. In addition to the fact that it's been 7 weeks today since my Daddy passed away, it would also have been his 90th birthday today. I have some really good memories of his last birthday. We threw a big birthday party for him, and family and friends came for a cookout, and an afternoon of visiting. It wore him out, but he was in rare form, and couldn't believe how many people were wishing him a good day. I'm so glad we decided to do that. We knew, even at that point, that time was precious.
My mom and two of my brothers plan to travel down to his gravesite today to place new flowers, and have a time of remembrance there. Mom is holding up pretty well, but is having a hard time some days, adjusting to a new reality. I get that. They had been married almost 61 1/2 years. It's hard to "start over" after that length of time. We all miss Daddy very much, but knowing his suffering has ended, and that he is at peace, is such a comfort.
Other things have kept me busy over the past weeks, as well. (Can't we all say that?) Trying to get some areas of my life "tidied up" has been met with some unexpected problems, but hopefully those will iron out sooner, rather than later. If I could ask for one thing for you to pray for me about, it would be that the problem has a speedy resolution. While I KNOW that God's timing is perfect, and that He already knows the outcome, I confess to having a bit of anxiety over the in-between. I don't like living that way, so I try to remember that it was never in my control anyway, and wait. I'm human, though, and I need daily reminders that, as the picture hanging over my bathroom mirror says, "Faith in God includes faith in His timing". So, that being said, I'll try again today!
All of the family are making their way through this heat wave we've been having. Life goes on, if in a different way. Roger's dad, Doug, could use your prayers, as he has been under the weather lately. I will post more on that another time. Chelsea has a birthday on Wednesday this week. I can't believe I am old enough to have a 28 year old! Jordan and Jessica continue to have a busy life in California. I have been helping my friend Mary Anne, when I can, to get the Veranda ready for opening day in August. We are so excited to see her dream come to fruition. This will be a place of respite, where caregivers can leave their senior Alzheimer's and Dementia (or other debilitating conditions) patients for a few hours each day, while they have some much-needed time for themselves. What a blessing! If you have ever been in any caregiver postion, you KNOW how valuable this can be. If you, or anyone you know, lives in the Gallatin, TN area, feel free to contact me for more information on this wonderful opportunity.
That's about all from TN for now. It may not "write up" to be a lot, but believe me, the emotions have been in play for a few weeks now. I think I have shed more tears, for one reason or another, over the past few weeks, than I have over the past year or so. But, tears have a way of cleansing the soul. I read somewhere several years back, a saying that I have always remembered: "Tears are the safety valve of the heart when too much pressure is laid on it". That works! (For Wanda: George Younce used to say, "If the eyes leak, the head won't swell!") Regardless of the emotions we feel; despite our situation, whatever it may be; in the sunshine, or in the rain, God ALWAYS holds us lovingly
In His Grip!
Debbie