Yesterday my sweet baby boy turned twenty-two years old. I know it is so cliche', but it really has all gone by in a blink. Luckily we were all able to go out for an early celebration dinner before he had to go to work. He lives in fear of his parents (mostly me) embarassing him in public so I'm not allowed to take photos in a restaurant as we are celebrating. Sitting at the table looking at my two handsome sons who are truly good men as well as best friends, my heart becomes filled with so much love and gratitude for being blessed to be their Mom.Back Into the World
Life has reminded me the hard way how fragile and precious each moment really is over the past few years. I allowed all of my grief to crush me and every area of my life has suffered. A dear friend of mine urged her husband to go to the emergency room a couple of weeks ago because he had been losing weight and complaining of stomach pains. What they believed was a routine trip to the emercency room turned to a terminal diagnosis of cancer and a prognosis of possibly a month. Only weeks before we had lost a friend of ours in her mid-thirties. I have been shocked out of my self-imposed cocoon of grief because I want to be there for my friend and her kids in whatever way I am able. She has been a full-time Mother and Homemaker and they had been living paycheck to paycheck after he was injured on the job falling and breaking his back, splitting his liver and damaging other internal organs. How will she keep a roof over their heads and put food on the table? She is a beautiful woman with a strong faith in God. Seven years ago their fourteen year old daughter hung herself and although they were devastated, they put their faith in God and surrounded their kids with support and love rather than allowing the grief and pain to destroy them. It is always so easy to tell someone to let you know if they need something, but I feel that I need to just show up and do what I can to free her and the kids up to be with their Dad. I am very sad that it has taken something so sad to get me outside of myself and back into the world helping other people.
xo Susi xo
Susie, I have two sons too - 29 and 32 - teen years as a single mom were tough but my cup has runneth over with motherly pride now - such kind and caring men. I battled kidney cancer last year - I learned a lot about living. I also learned that the people I cherish that are battling cancer have been fighting so much harder than I ever had to. I do what I can. I sit by their beds, I pick up a few groceries or things for the kids, I have organized food drives, Christmas toy drives for their kids. People are so willing to do what they can - you'd be amazed. So just be there - in a prayer, a gallon of milk, a kind word, a loaf of bread, a hug. You're already doing your best by caring. With Love, Jennifer....I understnad and others will to
ReplyDeleteSusie, How are you doing....I was thinking about you and just wanted to touch base..let you know you're not alone. Jennifer
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