November 7
Things seem to go really well, then all of a sudden, a word, song or picture will cause me to tear up and sometimes full fledged sobbing. I used to look at the crying emoji which shows waterfalls falling out of the eyes and think, who cries like that? I do.
The last two weeks have been more difficult because this is when we dealt with the diagnosis and his first treatment. Scary times, but continued hope for a total restoration to health.
Now, I’m facing the holiday season without him. I really did not expect last year to be our last Thanksgiving together, our last Christmas together…but then how does one prepare for that?
I’ve made plans. My daughter will come in for Thanksgiving and we’ll go to my niece’s new home. My brother and his wife will be there, as well as my sister and her beau, along with nieces and nephews. I’ll be surrounded by family for the day.
My daughter will help me decorate for Christmas, and we’ll do some Black Friday shopping. We do a lot of people watching and go out to eat. Christmas will be spent with my children and grandchildren.
Plans are great, but can’t prevent the memories washing in like a flood. This is the price of love, I cherish the memories even though tears accompany the memories. Norm and I had a lot of fun together. I married him because he made me laugh every day.
I am thankful for the almost 45 years that I had with Norm. He was a good man with a good heart.
I pray for those of us who will be facing the holidays without a loved one. Though the days can be tough, God is able to comfort us in our grief.
I rejoice that the season ahead gives us time to consider the hope that came with the birth of Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah who loved us enough to die on the cross so that we could walk in relationship with God.
Where’s the joy? It is in the memories, both good and bad. God blessed me with my marriage to Norm.
It is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High.
To declare Your loving kindness int he morning and Your faithfulness by night, with the ten-stringed lute and with the harp, with resounding music upon the lyre.
For You, O Lord, have made me glad by what You have done, I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands.
How great are Your works, O Lord! Your thoughts are very deep.
Psalm 92:1-5
TRICIA LATHROP 