Posts Tagged With: friends

Where’s the Joy? A Widow’s Walk

Posted on July 22, 2025 by tricialathrop

July 20

“Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other’s gold.” We used to sing that in the Girl Scouts.

The last week, so that I wasn’t home on Norm’s birthday, I traveled to PA to Montrose Christian Writer’s Conference. I used to attend when we lived in NY. I haven’t been for the last 9 years because they changed the dates to correspond with Norm’s birthday…and I wanted to go on trips to celebrate with him.

It had been a long time, and some of those I remember were not there due to illness. A few keep tabs on Facebook and spoke of Norm and how they enjoyed his photos. I made some new friends and enjoyed hearing of their writing projects. It was and continues to be a place where a writer can receive encouragement, teaching and challenges.

Someone wrote me a beautiful note of encouragement, signed with initials that I did not recognize. Even though I don’t know who it was from, it is a note I will keep to read again when I need encouragement.

After the conference, I headed on up to Clifton Park to see friends from the church we attended. They had faithfully prayed for Norm and encouraged us along the way. I met with a few one on one, but was able to greet and worship with a number of them.

Where’s the joy?

I am thankful for friends, old and new. They bless my life with camaraderie and encouragement. I feel their support each day.

I pray that I will be an encouragement to those within my sphere of influence.

I rejoice that God provides what is needed for us to not only survive, but to thrive as we walk with one another on this earth.

Where’s the joy? No surprise, friends, old and new.

For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.

Romans 15:4-7

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Where’s the Joy? A Widow’s Walk

Posted on June 11, 2025 by tricialathrop

June 10

It’s only been three months, but feels much longer.

Yesterday, Norm’s college friends got together to plant two trees. One in memory of Norm, the other in memory of Linda. Like me, she joined the group post college because she fell in love with one of the friends. Linda was a later addition to the group, but made a big impact in the short time we had together.

These friends reached out often to Norm and to me with words, cards, gifts of encouragement. He began to call them his “forever friends”. Linda reached out often because she experienced and survived the same cancer as Norm, she gave him hope in the fight. Unfortunately, her cancer returned and she passed away just a few weeks after Norm.

We planted the trees on Debbie’s property, where the group has met for the last few years since Covid. It was a beautiful tribute to Norm and Linda. Lots of memories of the joy and laughter they brought to all our lives…and tears, for the loss of their joy and laughter.

Where’s the joy?

I am thankful for these friends of Norm who became my friends.

I pray for my family and friends, that they will come to know the grace of the Lord.

We have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 1:9-14

I rejoice that God provides people to walk with us on earth, to bring encouragement, joy and sometimes a challenge.

Where’s the joy? It’s in the friends and people around me, God’s gift to help me walk this path.

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Where’s the Joy?

Posted on February 27, 2025 by tricialathrop

February 26

Here we go again!

Today, Norm’s oxygen numbers dropped very low and they had a hard time getting him to stabilize. So another early trip to the hospital, afraid of what I would find.

But what started off really terrible, it ended up being the best day he’s had in weeks. They addressed those things that caused him stress. The music therapy lady came to visit. A good friend of his came to visit. He ate better than he has in days.

When I left, he was happy, joking and making the best of still being in the hospital.

I realized something today. I’ve been pushing through each day, doing what needed to be done…step after step. It is the prayers and support of the people in my life who have kept me going…doing for me what I cannot do for myself as I focus on Norm and his health. I am truly blessed.

Where’s the joy?

I am thankful for the prayers and emotional support of those around me.

I pray for the ability to be a blessing to those with whom I come in contact throughout this struggle.

I rejoice that God has placed people in my life who are supporting me and lifting Norm and I continually in prayer.

Where’s the joy? Friends and family walking alongside. How sad it would be to walk this road alone.

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!

Again if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone?

And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him–a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

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Where’s the Joy?

Posted on December 26, 2024 by tricialathrop

Christmas Day

Today was a busy day. Family came to visit.

Today’s word is JOY!

My first thought, “Joy to the World, the Lord is come. Let earth receive her king.”

Joy and happiness, though similar are not the same. Happiness comes by circumstances, joy exists despite the circumstances. Hope is a key ingredient in joy. We can have joy because we have hope for a better outcome.

Jesus went to the cross because He knew the restoration of humanity with God would come through His actions. Therefore He faced it with joy.

We have spent a lot of time alone. Norm sleeps a lot. Chemo knocks down one’s immune system so that in cold and flu season, he can’t go out easily. Big crowds carry big risks. For a time, he didn’t want to have anyone come and see him in this weakened condition. Fortunately for me, he was gracious to allow me to leave him for an hour or so, without making me feel guilty. Not every caretaker has that.

This past two weeks, he has enjoyed a number of visitors. I’m realizing that we are social people, we need interaction with others. Sharing our stories, hopes and dreams fills us in a way that we cannot get in isolation. There is healing in the laughter and joy that comes with family and friends.

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

You (God) will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever. Psalms 16:11

The Lord your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over. you with shouts of joy. Zephaniah 3:17

It’s fun to picture God rejoicing over us…just like a parent watching his/her child as they speak, act and play.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10

Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy be made full. John 15:9-11

I am thankful for family and friends.

I pray for those who don’t have anyone around them, that they will find a friend, reconnect with family, or restore a lost relationship.

I rejoice that Jesus Christ endured the cross for the joy set before Him, our full restoration to relationship with God.

Where’s the joy? I have friends and family with whom to share my life.

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