Blessings
So, I prayed for daylight. With weary eyes, I see amazing beams of light and
hope shine through the blackness. Daylight is coming. Tip-toeing ever so cautiously out of survival mode, my eyes started to adjust to my new surroundings, and I could see. I had the most amazing support stand behind my
girls and me while I found my way around my new life. I met selfless people who gave me
what I needed. I am forever indebted to a circle of virtual strangers, old friends,
and new companions who supported me with kind words, prayers, food, company, love, childcare, and let’s face it, some money to get us by for a while. Harper is
just *now* on her last box of diapers that were gifted to her, 10 months later.
What amazing love that I got to experience first hand! I could never have gotten through the first season of my new
life without YOU. I believe God has put a few good people in my life for a reason.
Side Effects
I am not bullet-proof. There have been consequences and repercussions
to the events of this fine year. Of late, I have been experiencing something I didn’t
believe really existed in this capacity. Anxiety. I have had some serious tolls
to pay in the anxiety department. If you haven’t experienced it, I cannot ever
make you understand. And if you have, then you know. My senses became
heightened when Jason died. I know it sounds superhero-ish, but that isn’t
always a good thing. I now fear something bad will happen to myself and leave my
children without a parent. I am hyper aware of the fragility of life, and I am
under no notions of myself or my family being the exception. My theory is that most
people think “yeah but that won’t actually happen to ME (if you are reading
this and don’t have life insurance or a will, you are one of them)” as a normal
human life-coping or defense mechanism. It’s mostly a good thing to have, so
you won’t know what hit ya. I don’t have that anymore. Mortality is a very real
concept to me now. And I have worked myself up enough to end up in the doctor’s
office a few times to make sure I am not dying, a cardiologist to make sure the
ticker is good, and even the ER because I didn’t believe when the first 2
doctors said the ticker is good… all the way to a therapist’s chair. I didn’t survive totally unscathed, but I have faith I will work through this part, too. It’s
all part of my journey, even the ugly stuff like this. I have to work on BEING
STILL AND KNOWING…
Today
I mourn what was taken from me and my children this year,
but I will never forget what was given
to me this year. Perspective. Strength. Will to survive. Fellowship. Support. Love.
Gratitude. Humility. A massive character-building exercise, if you will. I am
not alone in a dark desert. Not today. God and I are working things out, but I know
He is with me and He is patient. I am strong. I will not quit. I won’t give in
to darkness. I am placing my bets on ME. Let me make it crystal clear that it
takes PRACTICE to get in the right mindset. The mindset of a grateful heart,
appreciation, and an open mind. The mindset of belief and hope. Without that,
you ain’t got much.
Tomorrow
2014, you are definitely a “winter” year of my life. Almost a whole year of holidays and birthdays without daddy. But I
know there will be a spring. The cold ground will thaw. Birds will sing again.
The sun will warm my face again. There is still a promise of a
spring with new leaves, new green, and new birth (just not of the human variety!).
That’s the beauty of a New Year. Now, don’t EVER show your face here
again.