ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY!

It is hard to believe that it has been a year since I lost Pete!  At times, it seems like it was yesterday, then at other times, it seems so much longer.  The days turn into weeks and then before you know it, a year has gone by.  I miss him everyday.....when I get up in the morning, all day long and when I go to bed at night.  42 years is a long time to share your life with someone, and I am so grateful for those years....there were good times, as well as bad times....but we got through them.  I will cherish those memories forever and be ever so grateful that I will see him again.  I have peace in knowing that he is no longer miserable trying to get through the days, feeling so bad...but he kept trying.  He is now healthy and happy and is with our precious Jennifer and other loved ones.  How could I not feel at peace knowing that?

I have learned so much this past year, and am cetainly still in the learning phase with so much more to learn.  I have learned to do things for myself, that I never thought I could learn to do.  I have learned to be able to be alone and not let that upset me (I know that with God, I am never alone)....I am ever so grateful for my sister, Kimberly, who is my rock and my precious friends that help me get through the rough times.  I am grateful to have my sister-in-law, Barb....she became a member of this widow's club just two months before me.  It is good to be able to cry on the shoulders of each other and understand how it is.  I am trying hard to strenghten my relationship with God and to study His word more and have a better understanding.  I have taken on a challenge to get out and walk a little...which isn't easy, but as I have learned most things worth doing are not easy.  I am sure that with each walk, it will get easier.

Yes, today is a sad day to remember, but I am grateful for the memories.....they can't be taken away.  Pete was such a good hearted and caring person. 

Tell your loved ones that you love them and make sure they know that you mean it!

My First of #48 Walks

I finally did it!  My first walk of  #48 walks!  Thank you once again, Alison.  You are so inspiring.  I went to Gulph Gorge National Park....such a beautiful park in all seasons.  My walk was short, but sweet!  I wanted to go before the rain and winter weather that is predicted got here.  I am determined to go a little further with each one and since I started late, I have some catching up to do.  I am happy that I finally got out and began! Baby steps.....but steps!  LOL!

#48 WALKS

My friend, Alison Chino, is so inspiring!  I love her writing, her recipes and her beautiful photography.  She and her family are in Scotland for the next three years.  Her husband, Taido, is one of the pastors of our church and he is going to school there for the next three years....they are such an amazing family and so inspiring!

Alison has started a group called #48 Walks....she is inviting people to take 48 walks this year.  They can be anywhere you choose.  She has a wonderful blog....Chino House.  I have been thinking about this since the first day I read her post about it.  I have decided to make the committment to do it!  I am still pretty shaky walking and must use my cane when out of the house.....but I am going to do it.  I will have short walks, but hopefully, I will build up my stamina and be able to increase them.  There are so many beautiful places here in Hot Springs to walk and such gorgeous scenery.  I could probably do all my walking right down the road from me in Gulpha Gorge National Park, and see something different with each walk.  Like I said, I will starrt out slow....even if I can just park a little further away from the door at the grocery store.  I know that the benefit of the fresh air and the beautiful scenery will be good for me emotionally and physically.  I am sure the dogs will love going with me at times and getting out of the house.  Anyone want to join me?

JANUARY 17th!

Two years ago today, Pete and I had to stand and watch our home and 41 years of our lives  go up in smoke, as we lost everything in the fire.  I remember feeling so helpless and wondering what we would do to start to rebuild our lives. 

Yes, we lost all our posessions and personal things like pictures, scrapbooks and special things that were Jennifer's and my parents.  We lost our two precious dogs....we had thought they had gotten out of the house, but had run to hide in the bedroom closet.  You can eventually replace material things and you learn to be grateful for the memories of the things you cannot replace. 

I have always believed that every hard struggle makes you come out a little bit stronger....this has proven to be true with my three battles with cancer.  The fire has certainly strenghtened my faith in people and the love of God.  I could never express the outpouring of love and support from friends, family and many strangers after the fire.  We even received our home from a wonderful family that had seen our story on the news....what an awesome family and angels from God.  We had many people that came and worked for weeks, helping us clean up after the fire and get moved in to start to rebuild our lives.....it was amazing.  We were given clothing, furniture and all the household items we needed.  It still amazes me the outpouring of love....increases my desire to serve God and help people everyday.  I am so blessed that this horrible experience left me with new friendships.... friends that were there for me when I lost Pete last year.  God's love is so awesome....there really are angels among us and I will always stand by....God is good and He is good ALL the time!!  I don't know why things happen in life, but I do know that God is always in control and He has the plan for each of us.  He is always there with us, and for that, I could not be more grateful!

2014!

I can hardly believe it is already 2014!  We started off the New Year with extremely cold weather....got down to 9 degrees one night.  I survived the cold spell with only a brief period of no power and thankfully no busted pipes....that is always a big concern for me.  Being by myself, I sure don't need to have to deal with that...very grateful.

2013 was a hard year for many friends and family members.  I still can't believe that I lost Pete....it jsut doesn't seem real....after 42 years!  I am praying that all loved ones will have a great year.  I will make my commitment to serving others stronger and try to increase my closer walk with God.  I know that He has the plan for each of us and He is always in control.  I will try to be more patient and wait and listen to Him!


I am hoping to declutter my life...working on it a little at a time, until I reach that goal.  I want to spend more time with friends and loved ones, and let them know how much they mean to me.  I want to try to find ways to improve my health and be more active.  This will take baby steps....but I will do it.....while I wait patiently to be the first candidate for a right side body transplant....LOL!  I will give thanks for what I have and for the people in my life.  I will try not to worry so much about the things I have no control over and cannot change.  I will try to smile more and lend a helping hand to those in need.

Happy New Year to all!

CHRISTMAS 2013!!

This will surely be a CHRISTmas I will never forget.  I have always thought that I would always want to be at home on CHRISTmas....could never even imagine being gone at CHRISTmas!  My life has changed so much since losing my husband in February.  This time of year has been so hard for me since losing Jennifer in 2006.  I always had my husband to get me through those hard times.  This year I knew that I didn't want to be at home.  My sister and I through the gracious gift of our special friend, Michelle, spent this year in Destin, Florida.  It was such a wonderful trip....we enjoyed every second of everyday!  How awesome to wake up each morning to the sights and sounds of the ocean.  Jennifer and I always said how close we felt to God while on the beach,,,,,witnessing His wonders!  It is just amazing!

While there, we went to church with Stephanie Parker and her beautiful family.  They moved there two years ago and it was wonderful visiting with them.....they have four beautiful daughters...they are just precious.

We ate lots of wonderful seafood while there and visited many of the surrounding beaches in the area.  We went to a great quilt shop in Panama City....Kimberly was in awe at all the beautiful fabric...while at the quilt store, one of the ladies that works at Kimberly's favorite fabric store in Little Rock, came in with her daughter....small world, for sure.

We attended a CHRISTmas Eve service at a church in Destin.  While going to the service, we saw several homeless people.  Since we are involved in the homeless ministry here, this really tugged at our heart strings.  On CHRISTmas morning....unable to find many places open...we went to a convenience store and bought sandwiches, chips and crackers.  We made bags to give to the homeless.  We had to drive around for a bit before we found them, but we did find them.  It felt good to spread a little CHRISTmas cheer.

A family of a former ACH patient of mine, saw on fb that we were in Destin....she sent me a message and we had lunch with them in Hattiesburg on our way home....another great blessing.  They have three beautiful children and are such a sweet family!

It rained most of the way home.  We so enjoyed this wonderful week, but it was good to be back home.  I missed my fur babies terribly, but they and the house were cared for by my brother-in-law, George.  I was so grateful for him.

2013 has been a hard year for many friends and family members.  I am wishing all a Happy and Healthy New Year!  God is good and He is good ALL time!

NEW TRADITIONS!

Sometimes we are forced to start new traditions.  I was just fine with my former CHRISTmas traditions....changed before seven years ago with the loss of my daughter.  Somehow, my hubby and I had adjusted our lives and made it through, without having our precious Jennifer here to celebrate the best of all days....the birth of Jesus!  The 28 CHRISTmases that I was able to celebrate with her will always live in my heart!  I cherish all those memories.  For the past 42 years, I had celebrated CHRISTmas with my husband, Pete.  I would have never dreamed that last CHRISTmas would have been our last one together. 

I know you hear it said all the time....how precious life is and how short.  I think some people take life for granted and don't really realize that none of us is promised tomorrow.  Please take the time during this busy time of year to tell and show your loved ones that you love them and how much they mean to you.  For the past 42 years,  Pete and I always told each other we loved each other, at least once a day....except when I was at "sleep" while in the hospital.  We knew we loved each other, as did Jennifer and my parents and my sister knows how much I love her!!

This year new traditions will be started once again....not by choice.  I will get through it, because I have faith in God, and I can do anything through Him, who gives me strength. 

Remember the Reason of the Season....Love one another and have a very Merry CHRISTmas!