July 15
Yesterday, Norm would have been 70 years old. It hit me hard. I spent a lot of time considering what we would have done. A trip to France, castles in England, return to Scotland, a family trip to Ouray…he did want to take his kids and ride the Off Highway roads in the San Juan Mountains.
The day passed without a lot of fanfare, some texts from family and friends letting know they were thinking of me.
Last year, I prepped for the potential rough days, birthdays, anniversaries, holidays. This year? The shock of his loss, I’m adjusting. The just surviving mentality…gone. I no longer steel myself to survive the rough days…they just hit, sometimes full force. The tears flow, and God gives his grace.
But this week, the birthday thing was tough, but not the worst that happened. A storm came through town, and suddenly it sounded like someone had burst open the door of my sunroom. A little afraid, but I looked through the blinds, a window had shattered. I put on shoes, and went out to see what I could do.
Being alone, and having an emergency arise…what to do? Who do I call? It’s late. It’s just a reminder of my life now. I did call my nephew to help me block it, but the storm got worse, water was pooling everywhere. I found a board, wrapped it in plastic trash bags and taped it to the window with packing tape because I couldn’t find the duct tape in all of Norm’s supplies. I placed towels on the floor, and placed some storage bins against the board to keep it from blowing in and reopening.
My nephew arrived, checked its security and the other windows, just in case. All seemed fine and he went back home.
About an hour later, I heard a sound from another window, water not just dripping, but a stream. Another window had a leak. I put towels and a container to catch the water and figured I’d let my handyman look at it when he came to look at the other window. I am so glad that Norm and I found this person, he’s done several jobs for us. I felt comfortable calling him. Fortunately the storm did not last too much longer and the leaking stopped.
He came and checked my patch job, put some extra plastic outside the window, figured he could get it done in a few days. He checked the leak, he also will try to fix it. The beautiful arch window above the leak may need to be replaced…could be causing the leak. But, we’ll deal with that when the time comes.
Going solo has its unexpected challenges, physical as well as emotional. I miss having Norm to hand the house problems over to, now I have to deal with whatever arises…without his insight and wisdom. I’m slowly building a network of people I can trust, relying on input from the people God has placed in my life. I’m able to pass along helpful information of those who have proven themselves to others in need.
I am thankful for the people in my life who are available and willing to help.
I pray for awareness of the people around me, that I will be available to them and willing to help, even when it is late.
I rejoice that God is always available and willing to step in when we ask him.
Where’s the joy? No matter what comes my way, I have what I need.
I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being. May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord. Psalm 104:33-34
TRICIA LATHROP 