September - Remember?

What a great start to the month for me. I spent one whole week in a beautifully appointed rustic cabin in Hocking Hills! I hadn't been back to it since my first visit 2 years ago. I was so excited to be here because I had the greatest memories playing over and over in my head of the fun I had being in God's country with nothing but beautiful naturescape, waterfalls, hiking trails, campfire smells, all around me. Like the first time, it rekindled my happy feelings of being surrounded by beauty, serenity, quiet stillness and the best smells of the floral bouquets travelling through the breeze.

Then, at the end of the week, I packed up and came home and felt like my beautiful coach had turned back into a pumpkin! Back to the busy, never enough time routine and hustle/bustle. Yet, I still found myself thinking and remembering the fun time I had and the newfound sense of renewal and refreshment from having that week to spend closer to God in his country. I also spent a lot of these weeks thinking about Mike. We used to plan special getaways with the kids and many times by ourselves. And, the trip ended, we'd replay all the fun things we did and how much we appreciated having the opportunity to renew and refresh ourselves, our relationship with each other and the kids.

I really, really, miss those days with Mike. Six years later, I still think of him and start getting sad and having emotional outbursts. They say time heals all wounds, and I agree it does, but when you love so deeply and share so closely, those memories get cured in your heart and remain there forever if you let them. I'm happy to store my memories of Mike in my heart. It's so convenient because I can pull them up anytime and I'm guaranteed to have a happy and pleasant reaction or a sad one that gives me the opportunity to have a catharsis moment and then move forward.

I don't know about you, or how you process memories and react when something or someone triggers your recall of your loved one. All I can say is that I hope it brings a smile to your face, a hearty laugh from your soul, or allows you to have your moment to let it out and breathe again.

I hope, if you've read my blog before or you're reading it for the first time now, that you might join in and share your feelings about losing loved ones you cared so deeply about. We welcome you to also share any ways you have learned to cope and renew your strength to move forward to your "new normal."

This is a safe, secure, nonjudgmental community space for healing, and we welcome you! Hope to hear from you soon. God's Blessings and Love!