Sunday, March 4, 2018

Laughter, Sorrow, Tears and Joy

I love this old Swedish Proverb.....


I have found this to be true in life and it was reaffirmed on Friday.


We all gathered to say goodbye to Joni's only child, David.
Actually, we were there to comfort and support Joni......


her mother, Lily, and the family.

As heartbreaking as it was to see them in so much pain from losing David, you could also see the comfort being shared in this time of grief.

Of all the ones there, David's 15 year old daughter, Chloe, made my heart squeeze.
No child is prepared to lose their parent.
I am praying especially hard for her.
Adults have more tools to cope with their grief. They have more memories of the loved one than a child. They realize David is at peace and in heaven. Chloe just knows her daddy is gone.

We prepared food for afterward at Joni's house and it felt good to be doing something to help.


Normally I am the one taking pictures!
Deanie took this one.


Bill, Nita's son, flew in from Arizona early that morning and flew back out that very afternoon.


Lots of people brought food.....
This Black Forest Cake was worthy of being a centerpiece!
Trish, Deanie's daughter, brought the bundt cakes and cookies from the Swiss Bakery Shop.
This table was the most talked about and rightly so!

I truly believe it is healing to be with those you love and who love you when you are going through such a loss.


Trish was quite the photographer!
She took this really good pic of Deanie and me.


But she had her challenges to get it!
That Charlie!!!


Deanie took this one.
She said, "Linda! Come in here and sit on the couch!  I want to take your picture!"
She made me look better than I really do!


This is a fun photo of Mike's car.
I think it is the coolest thing!
It's a station wagon. I didn't think they made them anymore.
I can't remember what make and model - but I like it!

I left there around 2:00 and went over to visit Mother and Lillian.
I always seem to arrive while they are taking a nap!
Still, we had a nice little visit and I promised them the next time I come,
I will bring lunch and my laptop and show them all the pictures from our Sibling Trip to Galveston.
Friday afternoon traffic had already started when I left Fort Worth and I drove straight to Dallas and Quadville. It was Friday night movie, pizza, popcorn and Coke night!


It was such a good movie and the quads really got into it.
It was fun to hear them talk about what was happening in the film.
I got up at 5:30 that morning, left the house at 7:00 and returned at 10:00 that night.
I went straight to bed.
I did not do damage control or anything!

Saturday morning - late - I decided to straighten up the kitchen.
Louis Dean had fried shrimp and potatoes and popped popcorn.....on the stove.
We have microwave popcorn but he wanted to pop his own.
He had told me on the phone that it didn't turn out good.
I pulled out the trash bag to tie it up and put a new one in the container -
when the contents spilled out from holes all over the bag.
 ** Note to Louis Dean **
Hot popcorn poured into a plastic trash bag WILL melt said bag.

Life is never dull around here!


I spent all of Saturday afternoon cleaning and fluffing.
I started with the bedroom......


I should have cleaned the guest bedroom where Louis Dean has been sleeping since he got the flu.
Every time I look in there - it looks worse.
Maybe I will get to it soon.


I like this saying!


I love my tiny little bathroom!
Louis Dean went in there to clean the drain on my sink.
He got in and out without knocking down anything!

We had an early evening in the gazebo with our wine and was ready for bed by 9:00!

That brings me to Sunday morning.

*Coffee Time With Friends*

I love Sundays and I love going to church.....and The Old Rugged Cross is my favorite hymn.
It felt good to be in church.
I had missed a few Sundays.
I saved seats for Amber and Mike.
The first Sunday of the month we take communion.
When we went to the altar, Amber put her arms around me and said a fervent prayer for Summer.
Summer has had such a hard time. I won't go into it - but Saturday night a good number of friends and family were all talking with Summer on an instant messaging thread - and God was answering prayers. Summer has continued to do the next right thing and take the next step. This now involved another doctor and what was supposed to have been a 3 week wait for an appointment - miraculously happened this morning. Last night the doctor called her back and said he had a cancellation - he could see her at 10:00 this Sunday morning!
That's what we were praying for.....answers and hope.
While we still do not have answers, we know we have hope.
Amber prayed that God would make known to Summer that he has not forgotten her.
It fill my heart to hear Amber pray for her sister.
Earlier in the service, I looked over and saw Amber and Mike holding hands.
What a beautiful picture I still have of that in my mind.
I am so very grateful they are godly parents seeking help and direction from the Lord in raising their precious children.
What more could a grandmother wish for?

This afternoon I came home and took a nap.
It was raining lightly and I just wanted to go to bed.
I stayed there for a couple of hours and when I woke up and looked at the clock - I remembered I was going to visit Reaoma at dinner!
I put my earrings back on and my shoes and went just like I was!
I had changed into a loose black dress that I sleep in so I kept that on and added a black sweater and left in a big hurry! I was back an hour and a half later and Louis Dean was still in the gazebo where I had told him goodbye! He said he didn't know whether to say hello or ask for my identification.
I think that means he's been missing me.
Perhaps he should have gone to church with us!

I finished dressing the dining for Easter.......


Rayne will be coming home for Spring Break.


I host a Good Friday Dinner for my children and grandchildren every year and it is wonderful that Sabrina and Rayne will be here!


I'm not using all my decorations this year.
I've actually bagged up some to take to Goodwill.
I hold on to too much for too long.


If I don't truly love it - I'm letting it go.


The candle is lit and this room is now done!

And now I am all caught up.
We are going to go down to the ranch this week.
I have missed it so much.
Hoping and praying it dries out enough so we can get in.
I want to feed the goats and the chickens.
I want to let the ducks out in the morning and put them up in the evening.
I want to see what's growing and listen to the sounds of country.
I want to watch the horses run across the fields.
I even want to hear the coyotes howling at night.
Soon, I hope!
Very soon.


16 comments:

Ginny Hartzler said...

Your Easter table is beautiful. It looks just like spring. I have been praying for Summer, and sure do hope this doctor can help in some way. Your bedroom looks so comfy and inviting; I just want to go through the computer screen and fall into the bed. Such a funny story about the popcorn!! I think that after everything that has been going on, you NEED the peace and slower living of the country more than ever.

Vee said...

So much to comment on...I’ll instead say a quick prayer for healing where needed and tiptoe out again for a change. Love to all...

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

Loss is so hard! You all are good friends to surround your friends with love and support. Your home looks beautiful! Your words about praying with Amber for Summer really touched my heart! God is able!

I cleaned out some of my decor this past week. It is good to move out the things that you no longer love or use!

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

So true that a shared sorrow divides our grief. I know I've some wonderful people in my life that have helped me greatly. I'm still working on putting Easter, Spring and even some St. Patrick decorations up here at my house. It's a slow go. You have done a marvelous job of getting everything in order there and still taking time for family and friends too. Hope all works out so you get to the country it sounds like you do miss it. Hope you have a wonderful week ahead.

Arlene G said...

A great post Linda. There are so many to pray for right now.

Debby said...

Your table is beautiful. Since we are away I didn't get to decorate for Valentines or Easter. We will be on the road on Easter.
You are a busy one. So sorry for your loss. Prayers for that young daughter.
Praying for Summer. I'm so glad she is seeing someone else.
Hugs

Bluebird49 said...

Wow you have been so very busy. I love that Mike and Amber are raising a Christian family and modeling their faith for the quads!
I pray that Summer will have some answers this week!
I'm so glad Louis sounds better, but not popcorn in plastic! Oh my!!
Have a wonderful time in the country. You need a change of pace---you've been doing so much lately.
You are a little dynamo, but you need your batteries recharged with the country air, all the animals, Dean and Sherry,and watching Louis Dean get his strength back!! Just take care!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

You are always on the go....I don't know how you do it all! But you look beautiful in the photos. What a beautiful smile and I love your style! You should help ME with my wardrobe! lol Hugs, Diane

White Lace and Promises said...

Linda, your thoughts are heart felt and beautiful as are you! Prayers for health and healing for those you love.

MadSnapper said...

so sad, losing a father, losing an adult child. I love that quote you started with. have not heard it before and it is so true. you have really talented photographers in your family and also a lot of photogenic people. that pic of you on the sofa is my all time favorite one of you. you are so so busy i can't keep up with all that you do and so glad you love what you do for your family

Hootin Anni said...

Soon, she'll be able to smile again at the lost, fond memories...so tragic.

Love the Spring decor & laughed hardily about the hot popcorn & plastic bag.

Judy said...

So sorry for your friend's loss. How hard for a mother...and the daughter.

Praying for Summer.

I always smile as I read through your posts. But smiling is good! Enjoy your time in the country.

Nonnie said...

I'm so sad for young Chloe. This is quite a post full of so many things. I'm hoping Louis Dean is feeling better and assume he is if you're going to your ranch. I know it is a thrill to hear your daughter praying for her sister and also that she and her husband are raising their children in a Godly home. I think that is the most important thing. I hope your Summer is able to get answers and relief.

Susie said...

Linda, Do not let LD start working at the ranch, like he is twenty hired hands. LOL. I loved all you pictures. You are your sisters sure are pretty. Your post made me tear up a couple times. I pray the best of good reports for Summer. Blessings to all of you, love you girl, xoxo, Susie

Carole said...

You need to get LD some stronger bags! Some lovely pics of you! You have been rushing about so much some down time must be in order! Cheers

Carla said...

Smiling is definitely a good part of our uniform. Love the picture with Charlie in the background. A great picture of you on the couch. Such a pretty Easter table.