Having never lost a relative as close to me as my Dad I was not sure how I would get through it. Mom called us hysterical at 4:15 AM and she was a four and one-half hour drive away. It was devastating! The love of family, and friends got us through, though. It was amazing how a casserole, or bag of paper plates and ice in a cooler helped me feel the connection of others. It was like a life jacket in a stormy sea. Something tangible to keep you afloat!
Since that first week, every holiday, throughout this year, someone, especially a dear high school friend, and a cousin, will send me a text or a Facebook message. Just knowing they remember is helpful! Something so simple, but so encouraging and uplifting!
I know my Dad would NOT want us to stop our lives or fall apart. My Mom, husband, and brother and I have discussed this many times. So, on the occasion when I would fall into a pile of tears, someone has been there to hold me or hold my hand. That is most often my husband. What a special man he is! But, it has also been friends at work. There is nothing anyone can really do other than sit there and let it pass. But the sitting or hugging or hand-holding is just what I need!
In the middle of this year of grief we ended up having a wedding to plan. With our VERY middle-class budget, there was NO WAY we could spend tens-of-thousands on a wedding like our daughter's freinds so, we opted to do as much as we could ourselves. We began in November, painting closet doors, collecting old windows, building boxes, and tables to diorite the reception area. Then, we would scrap off some of the paint we had painted to make the doors look old… It was a never-ending process and the wedding was always in the back of my mind. The goal was to make everything look like Pintrest had "thrown" up at the wedding!
The week before the wedding we went into high gear, and so did our precious friends and family. Untold hours were spent, by those who love us and we love in return, chopping veggies, putting up tents and tables, arranging flowers, putting together the programs, and hanging lights. We only THOUGHT we would do it ourselves! We had an army of people that helped and there are no words to express the gratitude we felt and still feel! And, it did look like Pintrest had "thrown-up" everywhere!
In the midst of all of this wedding-planning there was also the death of my grandmother (97 years old) to and the graduation of our youngest child (who by the way has a full scholarship to college) to grieve and celebrate. From October to April, I went on a nine hour car ride to see my grandmother and/or go to her funeral three times. I also helped our child address and mail her graduation notices. All of this while going to work day after day. WOW!
Thank goodness for an intern at work that was amazing and two other counselors that jumped in when I had to be out. Looking back it was only throughout he encouragement and support and help of our special friends and family that I made it thus far!
The love of and for others is what make our lives complete. God tells us to love our neighbor. Well, I have been loved throughout this year! It has kept me going and gotten me through thus far! It isn't how much money or how may cars you have! It is connections to people that make a life rich and full. I must say, that I feel like the richest woman around!
Hebrews 6:10
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