April 9
It’s been a little over a month since I said my final “I love you” to Norm. It seems far longer.
Yesterday as I returned from Savannah, GPS took me off the main highway due to road construction on I-40. Every turn reminded me of traveling through the hills with Norm and stopping for lunch at a local diner in the small towns. I drove through Maggie Valley and over Newfound Gap and remembered watching the elk that had gathered in each place and seeing Norm’s joy as he tried to take the perfect picture. He always hoped for that iconic shot of two male elk fighting it out…usually after a few bellows, one will run away.
When I got home, I started going through some things. I would start to ask Norm a question, and realize he wasn’t there.
I’d start to ask if he wanted to go do something, but he wasn’t there.
I dozed off and when I awoke, looked for Norm, but he wasn’t there.
I thought of something funny to tell him, about what Sierra and Sawyer had done, but he wasn’t there.
We had over 44 years together…but now, he’s not here. This is hard, but it is my new reality.
Where’s the joy?
I am thankful for the years we had together and the memories that I will have for the rest of my life.
I pray for strength and wisdom to walk this path, realizing that I I will walk some of it alone, but I need to make sure I don’t isolate myself.
I rejoice that while people will leave, God will never forsake us. He promises to be with us always.
But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you. “For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
Isaiah 43:1–3
TRICIA LATHROP 