Posts Tagged With: faith

Where’s the Joy? Solo, but not Alone

Posted on August 20, 2026 by tricialathrop

August 19

I thought I was doing pretty good. I’m getting used to not having Norm around, not liking it, but getting used to it.

But the last few weeks, I’ve felt weird. That’s the only word to describe it. I’ve struggled with a lack of focus. I forgot to attend two classes this week. I missed having fun with my sister because I left too late, and she was time constrained. I’ve wasted hours on mindless games and media scrolling.

As I’ve struggled to figure out why I felt weird, I thought it might have to do with a busy month ahead or starting up a Bible study again, or possibly depression.

Yesterday, I went to the doctor for a checkup. As I prepared, I thought about all those questions they ask now that I’m older…and answering honestly would lead to a question of depression. All of a sudden, I received insight…

Two years ago at this time, I had a doctor’s appointment. I told her that my numbers would be off because I felt stressed, Norm was experiencing a lack of sleep and his body itched all over. She asked what tests had been ordered, none, his doctor wouldn’t see him while he was running a fever. I asked if she was taking new patients. She agreed to see him, and her intervention gave me a few extra months with Norm.

My subconscious and my emotions were responding to an anniversary of everything hitting the fan and changing the direction of my life forever. The uncertainty, the lack of focus, all subconscious responses before my brain caught up and understood. It reminds me of how the week before my period, I was short-tempered and emotional. I’d snap at Norm or one of the kids, and then all of a sudden, I’d realize what it was and calm down.

I’m hoping this is the same, now that I know the cause of the weird feeling, I can relax a bit. I’m under no illusions, the next 7 months will be difficult, perhaps more difficult than last year. The shock of Norm’s loss and the accompanying adrenaline is gone. Now, I’m aware. I can walk this path one day at a time, because God is with me and He will not leave me.

Where’s the joy?

I am thankful that I don’t walk this path alone. I have friends who have walked this road before me. I have others who have not had the experience, but still encourage and walk with me.

I pray for wisdom, I need it for direction, for decisions, for interactions with others.

I rejoice that God is always faithful and knows what is coming.

Where’s the joy? Right now I’m content, and I’m good with that.

Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.” As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight. The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips. The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16

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Where’s the Joy? Solo, but not Alone.

Posted on August 3, 2026 by tricialathrop

August 2

I went on a cruise to celebrate my sister and my brother in law’s birthdays. We had fun. Then I picked up the grands and brought them to my house for a few days. We had fun. I met Aimee in Atlanta, with Rob and Jennifer to celebrate Sawyer’s birthday and visit the aquarium. This week I’ve been home.

Traveling provides a distraction.

Watching the grands keeps me busy with a lot of laughter, but also reminds me of what I’ve lost. Sierra and Sawyer speak so easily about him, good memories. Sawyer told me he remembers exactly how Poppop looked.

This week, I slept the first two days. And then my procrastination took over. I’ve struggled all my life, read books, listened to speakers who have the answer to procrastination…but still it hits and I’m frozen in time and space. I’m grateful for outside obligations that give me incentive to get things done, even if at the last minute.

Earlier this week I experienced a weird sensation. I’m not sure how to explain it. It was a sense of moving on. Not leaving Norm and his memory behind, but embracing a future where all the decisions are mine to make, as are the consequences of those decisions. Scary thoughts, but also with peace of mind.

Last night I had my first Norm dream where he wasn’t angry or sick. I don’t know if earlier dreams were a result of guilt over Norm’s illness, that maybe I could have done more. Maybe the anger dreams were the way I dealt with my anger that he left me alone. Maybe the dreams showed me how he may have suffered had he continued here on earth. Whatever the reasons, the dream last night was a gift from God, reminding me of the gift He gave me in Norm as my husband.

Where’s the joy?

I am thankful for the joyful years I had with Norm.

I pray for wisdom as I do make decisions on my own, and the ensuing consequences.

I rejoice in the Lord God who has blessed me beyond measure, in the good and in the bad things of life. He remains faithful.

Where’s the joy? It’s in knowing the God holds me in His hand and will not let go.

I tried to include “My Life is in Your Hands” by Kathy Triccoli, but I can’t get it to load here. So go to Youtube and look it up for yourself, a powerful message of hope in the faithfulness of God at all times.

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Where’s the Joy? Solo, but not Alone

Posted on July 7, 2026 by tricialathrop

July 6

Today, I got the 2027 National Parks Calendar in the mail. I generally don’t keep calendars that are sent, but I do look at the pictures. One looked like a photo Norm had submitted to their monthly contests. I looked at the credit, and it indeed was Norm’s, the month of March. I continued to look at the other pictures, and found July was his photo also.

When we got married, Norm did not do photography. There are far fewer photos of me with our children, than of him with them. All our trips, I took the photos. Occasionally I would hand him the camera so he could take my photo with the kids.

But then, we started taking some trips out west, to Europe…and for the first few, I was the photographer. I did Scrapbooking, which the family still enjoys.

On our second trip to Scotland, Norm took my camera again and again to take shots he thought would be interesting. Finally I told him to get his own camera and he did. He started with an automatic, and within a year moved up the scale to a more professional Cannon.

It didn’t take long for him to be taking beautiful photos of waterfalls, even joined a photo sharing group under the name of Waterfall Guy. He traveled to each of the National Parks in the continental US and had a series of photos from each one. A lot of people followed his Facebook page just for the photos. As they pop up in my feed, I’ve been resharing them.

He won several awards including second place in the National Parks Photo contest. He entered photos from all the parks, the one that won? Taken at Cades Cove in the Smoky Mountains, an hour from where we live.

Today was bittersweet. He would have been so excited. I hugged the calendar and cried.

I am thankful that Norm discovered this talent and passion to take beautiful photos of God’s creation.

I pray for others to see his photos and stand in awe of God, the Creator of all things.

I rejoice in the Lord God, who upholds all creation in His hands.

Where’s the joy? It’s all around, we just have to open our eyes to see it.

Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty, covering yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent. He lays the beams of his chambers on the waters; he makes the clouds his chariot; he rides on the wings of the wind; he makes his messengers winds, his ministers a flaming fire. He set the earth on its foundations, so that it should never be moved. You covered it with the deep as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains. At your rebuke they fled; at the sound of your thunder they took to flight. The mountains rose, the valleys sank down to the place that you appointed for them. You set a boundary that they may not pass, so that they might not again cover the earth. You make springs gush forth in the valleys; they flow between the hills; they give drink to every beast of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst. Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell; they sing among the branches. From your lofty abode you water the mountains; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work. You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man’s heart. The trees of the Lord are watered abundantly, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted. In them the birds build their nests; the stork has her home in the fir trees. The high mountains are for the wild goats; the rocks are a refuge for the rock badgers. He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows its time for setting. You make darkness, and it is night, when all the beasts of the forest creep about. The young lions roar for their prey, seeking their food from God. When the sun rises, they steal away and lie down in their dens. Man goes out to his work and to his labor until the evening. O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. Here is the sea, great and wide, which teems with creatures innumerable, living things both small and great. There go the ships, and Leviathan, which you formed to play in it. These all look to you, to give them their food in due season. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things. When you hide your face, they are dismayed; when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust. When you send forth your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground. May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works, who looks on the earth and it trembles, who touches the mountains and they smoke! 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. Let sinners be consumed from the earth, and let the wicked be no more! Bless the Lord, O my soul! Praise the Lord! Psalm 104

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Where’s the Joy? Solo, but not Alone

Posted on June 29, 2026 by tricialathrop

June 28

I’ve been sick the last few days, the first time since Norm passed. I had a morbid thought, what if I died? How long until someone would notice? I don’t have anyone I check in with every day. During the summer, I don’t have any regularly scheduled events except church on Sundays.

It’s just another realization of walking this path without my companion. It’s hard.

I have friends who have walked the solo path for years. They encourage me. They check in on me. They know the sorrow of the solo walk, yet find the wherewithal to smile and to laugh with me.

I am thankful for the friends that God has placed in my life.

I pray for wisdom as I travel this world solo, Wisdom for decisions. Wisdom for connections. And the wherewithal to praise the Lord even when it is difficult.

I rejoice that God cares for me, and He has a heart for widows in our suffering.

But the righteous shall be glad; they shall exult before God; they shall be jubilant with joy! 4 Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts; his name is the Lord; exult before him! 5 Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. 6 God settles the solitary in a home; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land. Psalm 68:3-6

Where’s the joy? Every day I am finding it in the grace that God gives me to walk this road.

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Where’s the Joy? Solo, but not Alone

Posted on June 23, 2026 by tricialathrop

June 22

Yesterday was our wedding anniversary. The date doesn’t go away just because he’s no longer here with me. My daughter and sister came and went out to lunch with me. They helped to make it a pleasant day, and not a day filled with tears.

Last week I drove to Colorado. A friend had planned to join me, but a family situation caused her to stay behind. I think God planned it that way.

On the way out, I stopped to see friends we had known in Cincinnati. On the way back, I had lunch with a friend from college. Both were great visits…catching up, sharing what’s happening in our lives. I stayed a couple of days with Norm’s aunt and his one cousin…I don’t even know how many cousins I have…She says that she is the only cousin on both sides of the family.

They were great times of connection, my word for this year. I plan to be intentional about making connections, and renewing connections I’ve had in the past.

I went solo for most of the trip. I drove around the San Juan mountains, took the Million Dollar Highway, the Silver Thread Highway and a number of scenic roads. As I tried to find the Great American Basin, I found myself on roads better suited for ATV’s.

It didn’t take too long on the unpaved road for me to find a place to turn around, usually a series of y-turns at a passing spot on a very narrow road. When Norm and I went on these roads in the OHV (off highway vehicle), we saw a lot of Subaru Crosstreks. I knew my car could make it…not so sure of the ability of the driver on the rocks and tight turns. Being solo, I didn’t want to risk it.

I thought about taking the train from Durango to Silverton, a beautiful ride I did with a friend before Norm and I started dating. Going solo on the train didn’t bother me, it was the two hours in Silverton for lunch and shopping. Norm and I lunched and shopped in Silverton whenever we were in the area…I didn’t want to do it solo.

For several mornings, I arose, got some breakfast and got in the car for a drive through the mountains. I’d put on Sandy Patti, 2nd Chapter of Acts, Avalon, or Point of Grace and just drive. Beautiful scenery and the voices of praise to the Lord lifted my spirit…and brought out that I was upset with God.

God could have healed Norm completely, but chose to take him. It’s difficult to trust when the outcome is not what one wants. But I’m trying to practice what I have told others, when one is angry with God, might as well tell Him…He knows it already. When one admits the anger, then God will work to bring it back to trust, that He loves us and wants the best for us.

The anger at God was followed by being upset with myself. There were things I could have done differently, and there are words I regret not saying. I could spend days in regret, but I cannot change the past and I don’t think there was anything I could have done to keep Norm alive longer. What I can do, is be more intentional about the relationships with family and friends that are still here.

And then, I was upset with Norm…like he could have kept himself from getting cancer.

I’ve processed through these emotions before, and I’m under no illusion that this will be the last time. But in all this, I can still say, God is with me and God is faithful. He brings me back to hope every time.

Some of the roads I took, I had driven with Norm. Others were new to me. I realized that this is my life moving forward. Some adventures will be ones that Norm and I took in the past, filled with memories, good and bad. There will also be new adventures that I will experience on my own…good and bad. Whether solo, with friends, or with family, it will all be okay.

Where’s the joy?

I am thankful for my trip to Colorado. The time with family and friends, as well as the time solo encouraged my heart. I am blessed to have been able to do it.

I pray for the connections that will come my way as I walk solo, that I will be an encouragement, that I will challenge others to be more than they think they can be, and that I will be faithful to pray for their walk in this life.

I rejoice that we have hope, and that hope will not disappoint.

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.
For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. Romans 5:1-11

https://youtu.be/KZ3H3lg9NZM?si=coCtXCondni0IQPv

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Where’s the Joy? A Widow’s Walk.

Posted on June 7, 2026 by tricialathrop

June 6

I’ve had my grandchildren for the last week. They are bright, creative and very busy. I am exhausted. But it was such a joy to have them around, the laughter, the stories, the daily challenges as they pushed for what they wanted. Sierra has started to whistle, and every time it reminded me of my mom who loved to whistle. It was a sweet connection for me.

Sawyer talked to me about Poppop’s asses…I finally figured out he meant Poppop’s ashes. He remembered going to Water Rock Knob last year and spreading the ashes. He commented on how cold it had been, and that is true, it was cold and drizzling. I was surprised he remembered it at all.

We are coming up on the anniversary of that event. It seems like so long ago, and yet there are times I expect Norm to be sitting at his computer when I get up.

When I’m tired, I have a negative mindset that tends to take over. Norm could always use his humor to bring me out of it…but I no longer have him in my life. But God has shown me favor and has provided insight as to a way out of the mood, should I choose to take it.

There’s an old narrative/proverb about a Native American grandfather giving wisdom to his grandson. the narrative is about two wolves inside us, in his case I think the wolves represented anger and peace. One wolf is evil and the other is good. The grandson asked which one would win, the answer, the one you feed.

Usually I am positive. I have a good self image, I’m nice, I’m liked, I have friends. But the dark side takes me back to the old song, “Nobody loves me, everybody hates me, guess I’ll go eat worm”.

When that mindset settles, I feed it with past slights and offenses…real and imaginary. I become passive aggressive, having unspoken expectations that don’t get met because I don’t say anything. I isolate, and when I’m in a group, I stay silent. It’s a vicious cycle that affects all my relationships in an unhealthy way. I see it happening, but I felt powerless to change it.

But this time, when it hit, that proverb came to mind. I realized, I don’t have to feed it. I have hope that I can beat this. God has given me grace since I don’t have Norm to joke me out of it. Since I’m tired, it has reared its ugly head several times today, and I have successfully countered it.

I am under no illusion that this will not come up again…but today, I did it. I didn’t succumb.

Another visual came to mind. A pastor friend of mine preached a sermon about holding grudges. I can see him at the front of the congregation holding a grudge in his hands like a pet. He petted it, he spoke to it…and that visual has stuck with me over the years.

Where’s the joy?

I am thankful for the time I had with my grandchildren. I am exhausted but it was a good time.

I pray for myself to be able to continue connecting to family and friends especially when I get in this mindset.

I rejoice that God has given me grace and hope to not settle into a negative mindset when I’m tired.

Where’s the joy? Staying connected.

O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you. Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God! O men of blood, depart from me! They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your name in vain. Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you? I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies. Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! Psalm 139

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Where’s the Joy? A Widow’s Walk. Memories.

Posted on April 27, 2026 by tricialathrop

April 26

This morning I got blind-sided. I’m planning a trip, going solo, and as I spoke about it to a friend, I started crying. I’ve taken trips since Norm passed, I’ve driven and flown on my own. But all of a sudden, the sorrow hit me that he won’t be here to say good-bye. I’ve dealt several times with the fact that he’s no longer here to greet me when I return, but this is the first dealing with his absence when I leave.

I am thankful for all the times that Norm and I had together. The price of love when one goes before the other, grief that appears at any time for any reason.

I pray for wisdom as I face each day.

I rejoice that God remains faithful. He has given me a great group of ladies who encourage me day by day.

Where’s the joy? The memories of the gift of a wonderful man and a loving relationship.

Norm used to say, “Let’s go to the south of France and see cathedrals and castles.”

I’d counter with, “Let’s go see the fjords of Norway.”

In 2024, before Norm got sick, we went to the fjords of Norway with plans for the south of France in 2025. We went with Viking Cruise Lines, met some wonderful couples with whom we won a couple of trivia games, and enjoyed the unique landscape of Norway and Sweden.

We took a train excursion, a boat ride down a fjord to see Pulpit Rock, saw the apartment where ABBA began, enjoyed the art and architecture of multiple towns, and took a bus through a tunnel that had a round about in it.

We stopped by one island that is independent, but kind of overseen by Denmark. As we walked around the town we came across the Russian Embassy building. Across the street, someone had built a memorial for the people of Ukraine in protest of Putin’s invasion, and later that day, a protest had been planned. Norm was disappointed we couldn’t stay and be part of the protest.

We made it into one town on a festival day. I watched from the ship as people walked by dressed in all kinds of costumes pulling wagons and baby carriages that we found out were full of beer. We had fun walking the town and seeing the variety of costuming…but the biggest amazement when the festival concluded, the clean up began, we were shocked at the speed at which the clean up happened. I will say that all the towns were very clean.

In Oslo, we went to Akershus…for those of you who don’t know, Akers is my maiden name. A nordic castle on the hill, it had a statue of FDR, who apparently provided protection for the royal family during the war.

Norm did get sick on the cruise, we thought it was just a bug, but in hindsight, it probably was because of the cancer. I visited Copenhagen without him. I saw the statue of the Little Mermaid, and went to the local amusement park that had the oldest wooden roller coaster in the world, which I rode by myself.

Norm and I had a lot of great times and saw some awesome places. I miss him.

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Where’s the Joy? A Widow’s Walk. Moving Forward

Posted on April 13, 2026 by tricialathrop

April 12

Last week was really tough, this week has been better. But some days, I don’t know just how to proceed.

I had our Bradford Pear tree pruned this week, an overdue pruning. This year, it had been full of blossoms, and the leaves filled it out nicely. Last year, several birds built their nests in the tree…guest parked their cars under it at their own risk. It took several hours, a couple of days to clean the leaves…with no Norm to help.

Pruning a Bradford Pear is essential for the health of the tree, and to avoid splitting. But now it just looks barren and dead.

I feel like the tree looks. Walking this road without my chief support and encouragement is a challenge. No one wants to lose a loved one. I know it will take time. I know that my future is in God’s hands. Like the pruned tree will grow new leaves and blossoms, I too will continue to live a life full of good friends and encouragement.

I am thankful for the friends that God has brought my way and the encouragement they provide.

I pray for a heart of gratitude each day that I arise, not looking at what I’ve lost, but looking forward to what God has planned for me day by day.

I rejoice in the God of my salvation, who has a plan for my life that no longer includes Norm.

Where’s the joy? Every day I have hope in the Lord, that He will guide and give me all that I need.

But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge. With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come; I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone. O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come. Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. You who have done great things, O God, who is like you? You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again. You will increase my greatness and comfort me again. I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praises to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel. My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed. Psalm 71:14-23

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Where’s the Joy? A Widow’s Walk. Moving Forward

Posted on April 5, 2026 by tricialathrop

April 4

Actually this week I feel like I’ve taken a giant leap backwards. Lots of tears, deep sobs like last year. I don’t know what triggered it, but wow…it has knocked me for a loop. I was warned by other widows…there is no timeline to the grief. There will be days…weeks…It will get easier, but it will never go totally away.

While I prayed this morning, bemoaning my loneliness and isolation, God brought gratitude to my mind. I had focused on my feeling of isolation, but then I began to consider this week. Saturday and Sunday, I spent time with my daughter Aimee, her children, Sierra and Sawyer, and had lunch with my daughter Jennifer. Tuesday, Vickie and Edna came to help with my flower beds. I love having flowers in my beds…don’t like doing the work to make it happen. Tuesday afternoon I spent with Donna, finding out about her trip to Mexico, and discussing my plans to travel this year. Wednesday, I spent with some ladies studying the Word of God, and then lunch. Thursday, I had lunch with Barb…it lasted four hours. Thursday night, I attended the Maundy Thursday service, focusing on the sacrifices that Christ made for us. And yesterday, Caleb and his father came by.

Norm mentored Caleb in photography. When we thought Norm would be better and able to go hiking and do photography again, he spoke of Caleb and the places they could go where he could introduce new techniques to him. Caleb told me some stories of their adventures, and how much he had learned from Norm.

Norm encouraged. Norm challenged. Norm showed the love of God to the people around him…usually with a touch of humor.

Tomorrow is Easter. I had planned to attend a sunrise service at Eagle Rock, however, rain is expected and so they cancelled. Usually they would just move it indoors, but some construction issues make that impossible. So I’ll go to church at the regular time, and tomorrow afternoon go to my niece’s home for Easter dinner.

In my quiet time, I’m reading through Hebrews and today’s passage mentioned Christ, as the true high priest, taking his blood into the heavenly Holy of holies to give His blood so that our consciences can be cleansed from dead works to serve the living God.

Norm used to have an illustration he used to explain what Christ had done for us. We will all give an accounting of our lives. We have a sheet of credit and debit for what we have done and said in our lives. We think our good will outweigh the bad we’ve done, and we might get into heaven by the skin of our teeth. But in reality, we have all sinned and come short of what God requires of us.

The payment for the wrong things we have said, done or thought is eternal separation from God. So one day, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God, and while He does not desire that any perish, the sin is there and the debt must be paid.

Back to the accounting sheet, Satan is the accuser and when we stand before God, he will be bringing up every infraction, and while God is a loving Father, he is also a righteous judge.

When we recognize that we are unable to keep God’s way perfectly, and we acknowledge that Jesus paid the price for us, then our credit/debit sheet is swapped with Jesus’. He died on the cross, shedding his blood to pay the penalty of death, and we receive his righteousness to our credit. Because of the actions of Christ, we receive eternal life with God. That is our hope, and that is the joy of Easter. Death could not hold Jesus. His sacrifice on the cross opened the door for us to be in the presence of the Lord forever. His resurrection proved that death has no more hold on us.

I am thankful for many things today. For God’s faithfulness as I walk this road. For Norm’s influence on my life. For friends and family who continue to be there for me. For Jesus who died and rose again.

I pray for grace to be encouraging and also challenging to those around me.

I rejoice in Jesus Christ, his death and resurrection that gives me hope.

Where’s the joy? It’s found in the hope that we have in Christ.

But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.
For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. 15 Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.
For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive.
Therefore not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood. For when every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, saying, “This is the blood of the covenant that God commanded for you.”
And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship.
Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.
Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. Hebrews 9:11-28

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Where’s the Joy? A Widow’s Walk. Moving Forward

Posted on April 2, 2026 by tricialathrop

April 1

Over the weekend, I visited Aimee and the grands. I love spending time with them, but it also tugs at my heart. They had so much fun with Norm. We played games, dyed eggs, read stories, watched movies and went to the children’s museum where Sawyer showed me how well he could navigate the maze. Sierra and I worked a craft. Aimee and I went on a Trolley tour of Savannah. It was a short but fun trip.

It’s been a tough few days. At this time last year, we had Norm’s celebration of life. I’m trying to sort through Norm’s items, that I’ve set aside. I’ve thrown away a few things, some items will be given to specific people, but mostly, I’m just organizing it better…to be dealt with at a later date.

One of my widow friends told me that I’ll have a series of good days, and then one will come and knock my feet out from under me. She was so right. Today I walked around in a fog. I was with people, but on disconnect. Some days are more difficult than others.

Regardless of my feelings from day to day, God remains faithful.

I am thankful for God’s continued faithfulness as I walk this path.

I pray for wisdom as I make decisions for the future.

I rejoice in the celebration of the proof of God’s love this weekend, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I’m looking forward to a sunrise service.

Where’s the joy? I don’t feel it all the time, but every day I have a chance to cry and a chance to laugh.

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3:21-24

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