Bereavement

Recently I was asked if I'd write a bereavement THANK YOU 
for the newspaper to thank all that expressed kindness to us during bereavement.  

I hadn't done this before so this was a first for me.  

The Family of _the deceased_

would like to thank those for their kind expression 

of sympathy 

extended to us during our bereavement.

We deeply appreciate the thoughtfulness and sympathy 

given by relatives, friends, Pastor _________________,

THE NAME OF THE CHURCH, 

and THE NAME OF THE FUNERAL HOME.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

The ___________________ Family

Got through it and continued to write personal thank you cards 
to those that sent flowers and plants,
 brought food and supplies to home, 

a personal card to the Pastor, 

card for the Church that served Lunch,

the Pallbearers,

the Singers,

Piano player.

Did I forget anyone?

This week-end I should have this completed.
Saturday it will have been a week since the funeral.

To experience so much kindness that was given to us

touched my soul.

d

Waking To The Wind Chimes

Catching up on REST.  I sit in my red and black plaid housecoat that is like a second skin to me as I have often worn it before dressing for the day.  WOKE to the sounds of a wind chime on the porch dinging gracefully from the breeze.  

The sky was completely grey this morning as if it were to snow.  I pray we get another deep snow before SPRING arrives.  I would like so much to sit by the window and view the WHITE WINTER WONDERLAND where everything in nature is covered with a blanket of snow untouched.

I haven't had my cup of coffee with cream yet as I forgot I fixed it and went off to do something else while checking email and blogging.  Kind of got lost in the moment and forgot my brew.

Laundry's in and television is off.  Seldom do I watch daytime television anymore.  I detoxed from it and don't miss it.  Now my late nite tv is a different thing.  The tele comes on and we watch PBS programs that I could get lost in as the big screen television makes the people close to life size.  The clothing and the interior design make me swoon.  Gets my attention.

Today, I truly need to get outside to breathe some fresh air and go to the little local store that sells Valentines and candy.  With being out of town/state grieving there was no interest in shopping for Valentines.  The month is getting away from me as I have slowed down to live life and be real.

Gosh....once again the seasonal things did not come out to be put on display.  Missing this, I hope in the future to share HOLIDAY CHEER with at least a few items that show off the season.

Thank you notes will be worked on and of course the laundry.  Bed will be made and dishes hand washed.  A closet will be rearranged, some bedding folded and carefully placed.  Doesn't sound like much, but today it is just about all I can get accomplished.  Time to think, pray and rest.  

I am picking one Bible verse per month to memorize and say out loud throughout the day to see if I can recall some verses.  Chapter and verse included.  January's verse was Psalm 118:24  This is the day WHICH the Lord hath made; WE will be glad and rejoice in it.  My memory is challenged.  Now I have to go check that to make sure I remembered the correct chapter and verse.

I did.  I like the King James Version.

February's verse Philippians 4:4  Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

REJOICE!!!

Home LIFE is for me.
God Bless you,
d

  

Stop To Smell The Roses

Stop.

Smell the roses.

Before you move along, 

take some time to stop and smell the roses.

Let others know you care.

Hugs,

d

Another Death and I Am Grieving

Receiving a Tuesday morning phone call from my oldest son wondering if I knew that my Mother.in.law had passed away......he knew that she died peaceably in her sleep at her home.  She wasn't in assisted living anymore nor a nursing home, but in their new home that they were renting.  One of their grown sons was living with them to take care of his parents.    

My heart was sad and I started to cry when I hung the phone up.  I tried telephoning my Husband at work to tell him to come Home.  No answer.  I didn't want to tell him by phone that his Mom had died.  I tried his cell phone and no answer, so I left a message on his work phone to please call me.  

Waited.  Called again.  Waited.  The phone rang and I stayed calm.  Told him to come home.  I didn't want to tell him on the phone.  He didn't ask, but came Home right away.  This is when I prayed to know what to say to him when he got Home.

Both of our boys had messaged him that he needed to contact his Dad, so he knew something wasn't quite right.

Telling my Husband in a warm embrace that there had been a death in our family was the best way I could tell him that his Mom had passed away early in the morning in her sleep at home next to her Husband of 65 years.

He phoned his Dad getting the details.  We quickly packed and drove the long distance from our place to theirs stopping in Dodge City, Kansas where we slept in comfort with a huge picture on the wall of Topeka, Kansas's Old Town Church, Pharmacy and park.  I thought it odd that we had left our neighborhood to drive to a Motel with a huge picture of the City we live near.

We wanted to reach the Funeral Home by 10 the next morning to go over the funeral arrangements.  We helped pick out a casket and ordered beautiful flowers.  One of my brother.in.laws was there as well.  I had gone through the motions preparing my Father's funeral back in December.

The minister and his wife dropped by to visit and gather information to use for the funeral.  I had to think for awhile what I wanted to share.  I do remember my Mom in law telling me that as a married couple you have to fall in love over and over again.  After 42 years of her being my Mother.in.law I could have shared many sage advice she gave, but at that particular moment only a few things came to mind.  She once told me that she was a child of God and because she knew God loved her she had value and worth.  She could hold her head high and she did.

She had experienced some very ugly things in her life, but held her head high.  Many illnesses she suffered.  She had been through much as a mother of four active boys that were messes.  She did miscarry a baby and believed this to be her little girl.  She took very good care of herself, dressed nicely, well groomed, hairs and nails were lovely.  She was a fantastic cook when she cooked, took care of her husband, children and home when she could.  Knew quite a bit about health issues as she had so many.  I believed her to be a very loving Grandmother to my children.  Most the time she was very pleasant toward me.  I know that she loved her Husband and children so much.

She was a praying woman.  She wasn't perfect, but I know she tried really hard to be kind.  Not a pushover.  She had a lovely home and yard.  Usually on Fridays she made a trip to the Beauty Parlour, had her hair washed, dried and styled.  Weekly visits.  What a nice way to pamper oneself.  

She made the best desserts and big dinner meals.  Pot roast and potatoes was a wonderful dish to serve up.

She was a spectacular seamstress as she didn't have any daughters to sew for but she sewed for my daughter the most professional sweet frilly dresses you could imagine.  Once she sewed the boys Easter outfits of shorts, jackets and shirts.  So proud to dress the children up for church in these clothing she selfishly made.  Unbelievably talented.  She sewed and had a green thumb, cooked well, stayed pretty and took care of her home, husband and children.  She was a wonderful woman.

She was ill a great deal of the time and I didn't always understand how the meds she took affected her perception of reality.  This was a lesson in dealing with mental health that hurt.  She'd go from being so sick to bouncing back to being much better.  Many years passed as she lived her life and at 82 years of age, she went to sleep in her bed next to her husband and entered into heaven early in the morning.  

Friends of my Father.in.law began to come by his home and visit with him.  Some brought food.  I was blessed by the kindness so many showed us.  I was truly blessed how kind many were.  As the week progressed, we went to the Flower shop that was preparing the flowers and ordered a smaller bouquet from my family to my Dad in law.

Their Church served a fried chicken meal with cheesy mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, iced tea and brownies.  The service went well and I cried.  We drove from Guymon, Oklahoma to the little farming community where she was laid to rest in a well taken cemetery.  A beautiful day it was at 71 degrees.  Blue skies with whispy clouds.  Birds singing and gentle breezes.  Flat grounds and large open spaces where you can see for miles on end.  SO quiet in the country.  So peaceful to where you can think and hear yourself think.

It is a different environment that many don't like, but until you stand tall on this flat ground with your face to the wind you may not understand how some never adjust to over crowded towns and people everywhere.  Too many cars.  Too much stress.  Too much activity to have peace in ones soul.

Wide open spaces.

At 71 it was like a Spring day in which we buried my Mother.in.law.  For over 42 years she was my MIL.  I think how LIFE went over the 42 years there was much I admired about this fine Lady.  Much I needed to think about.  She birthed my beloved Husband on Christmas eve 62 years ago.  She was human.  Very human.  I will miss her and think of her often.  Truly I will.

Now I am saddened for my Father.in.law who's lung cancer has returned.  He has lost his sweetheart of 65 years and mother of his children.  He lost his lovely wife and there isn't much I can say to him accept that I am so very very sorry.

We returned to our little retirement cottage tired and saddened.  A long drive.  I will write out thank you cards for the flowers that were sent and for the food that was given.  A thank you to the Church that prepared the lunch and a thank you to their local newspaper thanking all that blessed us during this time of grieving.  Hopefully the cards will be ready to mail this week as I think it is appropriate for a handwritten thank you.  

Resting will be a slow process this week as I will continue to do laundry, write out bills, file papers, do general housekeeping, etc.  Slow as I return to as normal as I can.

It had been a Season of grieving having lost my Father in December and my Mother.in.law in January.  Not to mention the devastating house fire we suffered last October.  I remained quiet on the burning of our Rock House.  More later, but it has truly been a draining season and I am drained.

Prayers please.    
Very much appreciated.
Truly,
d      

21 Ways To Say I'm Sorry

SORRY isn't just a board game.
Sometimes we have to say the words and actually mean it in godly sorrow.  I'm sorry.  Please forgive me.

Here goes:  

1) Sorry.
2) I'm sorry.
3) I am sorry.
4) Sorry about that.
5) I'm sorry about that.
6) I apologize.
7) My apology.
8) I'm sorry that happened.
9) My apologies that happened.
10) I'm so sorry that happened.
11) So sorry that happened.
12) Sorry that happened.
13) I am so sorry that happened.
14) Please accept my apologies.
15) I'm so sorry that happened.  Please accept my apologies.
16) I'm very sorry.
17) I am very sorry.
18) Please, I hope you'll accept my apologies.  I am so very sorry.
19) I hope you will accept my apologies.  I am so very sorry.
20) I am so very sorry.  I hope you will forgive me and accept my apology.
21) Please take to heart my apologies.  I am so very sorry.

Can you add to these?
d

Day Thirty One: This Little Piggy

Day 31

We're off to a great start to the year 2017.  
2017.  2017.  If I say it enough or write it enough times on checks perhaps the year will soak into my bean and I will KNOW it is a new year.

At my age, time flies faster than ever.  February is knocking at my door.  Reds and pinks, hearts and candy.  Maybe some roses and lots of cards. 



The 'i luv u' month is near.

So on this last day of the month of January I'll attempt to write out a to do list for February.

1) HELP Mom sort through her closets and thin out her clothing.  Mother is a clothes horse.  She will be moving in the near future and is working at thinning out her belongings as she will not have the space she has now.  She'll go from having 4 closets to having 2.  My Dad's clothing will be let go of and hers will be thinned down.  

2) Inventory my personal effects.

3) Celebrate 3 grandsons birthdays.

4) Work on organizing RETIREMENT COTTAGE.

5) Celebrate VALENTINES DAY WITH MY SWEETHEART.

6) Send Valentines cards and candy to Loved ones.

7) Furniture shopping for Living room furniture...possibly purchase.  Will do LOTS OF LOOKING.

8) Do stretching exercises on the floor.

9) Located my one pounder weights and have them sitting beside my TV chair waiting for me to use them during commercials.

10) Clean chandelier crystals that will be used next year on Christmas decorations and trees.  Put away for next Christmas Seasons.

11)  AND then some.

12) THINK THAT's ENOUGH FOR THE MONTH.

If I think of anything else will note that.

Is February a special month for you?  I always think of childhood valentines.  Making a Valentines container to put cards in then take home to read.  I really liked the ones that had candy attached.  haha.  Imagine that CANDY.

I still love the Conversational Hearts to this day.  

Holidays and Seasonal Celebrations help ease the dread of really cold weather for me.  Looking out the window to see the bare trees has required a labor of love on my part.  I love the spring greens. The colder months take some doing appreciating their lack of warmth.

My right foot is healing nicely.  Four weeks has passed since I stubbed the toes.  I am able to walk. Yesterday a stack of miniature metal pots 'n pans fell on my left foot causing injury and more pain then the right foot.  My left big toe and the toe next to it ached so badly last night I could have cried.  Pain reliever wasn't working.  I woke with less pain, but good grief if grief is good I am in pain.  How do I explain?

The toes that were not injured on my right foot were injured on my left foot.  I am a mess.

As the essential oils become more and more popular here in my neck of the woods, I can look at the feet chart and see what area of the body I affected by injuring my toes.  'Lord have mercy.'
Also reflexology charts are available.

Gives a whole new meaning to the childhood nursery rhyme, This Little Piggy.
I use to tell my children and grandchildren this as I wiggled their toes one at a time....

"This little piggy went to market.

This little piggy stayed home.

This little piggy had roast beef and this little piggy had none.

AND this little piggy cried wee wee wee all the way home."

I will work at being healthier the older I get.  Ouch. Ouch. Ouch.

All the best,

d

Day Thirty: Mother Goose's Mnemonic

Day Thirty 

Thirty days has September,

April, June, and November.

All the rest have thirty-one,

Except for February alone,

Which has but twenty-eight days clear,

And twenty-nine in each leap year.

This version of the rhyme attributed to Mother Goose.

WIKIPEDIA shares many other versions.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirty_days_hath_September#Knuckle_mnemonic 

mne·mon·ic

nəˈmänik/

noun

1. 1. 

   a device such as a pattern of letters, ideas, or associations that assists in remembering something.

adjective

1. 1. 

   aiding or designed to aid the memory.

Knuckle mnemonic                                                                          

The knuckle mnemonic.

The Spaniards, German, French, Swiss, Turks, Romanians, Slovenes, Russians, Greeks, Danish, Dutch and Belgians typically use a mnemonic by counting on the knuckles of one's hand to remember the numbers of days of the months.^[6] Count knuckles as 31 days, depressions between knuckles as 30 (or 28/29) days. Start with the little finger knuckle as January, and count one finger or depression at a time towards the index finger knuckle (July), saying the months as you go. Then jump back to the little finger knuckle (now August) and continue for the remaining months.

One variant of this approach differs after reaching the index finger knuckle (July): instead of wrapping around back to the little finger, some people reverse direction and continue from the index finger knuckle (counting it for both July and August) and ending on the ring fingerknuckle.

Still others use two hands (as shown in the diagram, right): starting with the little finger knuckle of the left hand, proceed to the left index finger knuckle, then (swapping hands) jump to the right fist's index finger knuckle for August, finishing on the knuckle of the right ring finger (December).

CAN'T COUNT THE NUMBER OF TIMES I USED MOTHER GOOSE'S MNEMONIC AND NEVER KNEW IT WAS HER'S AND NEVER KNEW THIS NURSERY RHYME WAS CALLED A MNEMONIC.

I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT A MNEMONIC WAS.  

I LEARNED SOMETHING NEW TODAY. 

Thank you for stopping by to read me.

God bless you.

Home Life Is For Me,

d

Day Twenty Nine: Pass The Cream

Day Twenty Nine

Thanks for stopping by.

Coffee?

 SOMETIMES ALL YOU NEED IS COFFEE AND A FRIEND.

LOVE GOES ALONG WAYS,

d

Day Twenty Eight: AMISH PROVERB

Day Twenty Nine

OLD AMISH PROVERB

Eat it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without!!! 

Blessings to you,

d