It's suffering from a severe case of neglect...

the BLOG is, that is! 

Funny how that happens, isn't it?

Pinterest is addictive!  Have you discovered that craze yet?  It is such a simple concept and a simple process, but it is hard to break away from unless you make yourself!

I went to an awesome covered dish supper last night at church with my Sunday school class - the JOY class.  I picked up Mrs. Frances (she's 97 and was Momma S's neighbor and best friend).  The company was fantastic, the food was great, and we had two guest speakers that shared what they termed their 'God stories.'  I was moved to tears a few times.  The second speaker spoke of radical faith - and the stories she told were of just that - complete and total faith regardless of the circumstances.  In one instance I thought, why would you get yourself into that circumstance and expect God to bail you out of it?  I'm still struggling with my thoughts on it.  I think God wants us to use common sense in our decision making.  I know He also wants our total faith in Him in all things.  I may have to talk to one of my Sunday school teachers about it so I can learn something from it.   

About Mrs. Frances, she is one incredible lady.  She doesn't drive anymore, but she does everything else!  She lives alone, takes care of herself, cooks for herself, takes care of her cute little dog, she cuts and colors her own hair, and she will not leave the house without being completely put together - and this includes full make up!  She is a precious, lovely lady and I am fortunate to have come to know her better over the last 9 months.

D and I are still getting back to normal since Momma S went to be with Jesus.  It is a slow process, but a steady one.  We are so blessed beyond what we deserve!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!  Amen!

My Sunday Morning

Sunday morning I went back to church. 

The second of the two times since Momma S got to the point where she couldn't go to church back in June.

I thought I would be tough.  I thought I would be okay.

I wasn't tough.  And I wasn't okay.

The ladies of the JOY class showered me with hugs and love and shared sadness over Momma S.

All I could do was cry...and cry...and cry...and they cried with me.

Somehow I made it through class.  Momma S's class.

This class is now MY class!  MY Sunday School home!

They have welcomed me as one of their own even though the class is supposed to be for 60+.

I am so thankful that God has put these remarkable ladies in my life.

I have so much to learn and they are ready and willing teachers.

I AM SO ABUNDANTLY BLESSED!

Melacholy and the Overwhelming Sadness

My mom-in-law came home from the hospital in January.

When she came home, hospice came with her.

With her illness, there were no expectations set with respect to how much time we would have with her.

Praise God she has been a real trooper for the last 7 months.

Lately there has been a tremendous change.

According to hospice, she is in the pre-active stage of death.

The pre-active stage of death can be 2-3 weeks, sometimes more.

Over the last few days, mom has told me she loves me countless times.

Over the last few days, mom has told me that I've been so good to her.

Over the last few days, mom has expressed abundant appreciation.

I am so thankful for this time with mom.

Selfishly, I want more time.

I need more time.

We haven't always been close.

There have been times when we didn't speak to each other for months.

I am filled with regret over the lost time.

I'm filled with sadness over what our relationship could have been.

What it should have been.

Sadly, a person got in the way...and we both allowed it.

There is no going back.

There is only here and now.

I will cherish this time that we measure, not in days but, in moments.

I will show her in word and in deed that I am here for her.

And I love her.

Vacation Week

I took a vacation week April 11-14!  On one of the days, I took my mom, my niece, and D's mom to the State Botanical Gardens!  It was quite chilly, but we stayed in the tropical plant conservatory and enjoyed ourselves so much!  It was WONDERFUL getting Momma S out of the house.  She was so happy!  Of course that made ME happy! 

I made this collage using Picnik, which is recommended by Danielle Burkleo at take heart.  I follow Danielle's take heart blog faithfully.  You should too!  Go here!


I'm going to do another post of my adventures with Cassidy. We did face painting almost every day. We had ART day!! We went to the park several times. We even went to a couple of antique shops to look around.  And best of all, I got to love on my baby girl.

Feeling kind of blue...

Today I am in a funk.

I know the rain is contributing to this feeling.

But what really has me feeling sad today is that Momma S (my mom-in-law) seems to be sad today.

It is like the joy is zapped out of her. 

The light in her eyes that is normally there when I walk in to see her is gone. 

And she is very quiet. 

To understand how heavily this weighs on me, you have to know that Momma S is at home in hospice care and has been since January.

I can only imagine what is going on in her mind.

All of this has to be overwhelming for her.  It is for us.

And I feel helpless.

My prayer is for peace of mind for Momma S, for the joy to return to her spirit, for the light to return to her eyes, for her blurting out in conversation to return, and for her to keep on fighting until Jesus calls her to be with Him.