The children were all tucked in their bed for a long winters nap...which leaves me all alone to wrap 1,000 presents and wipe my tears. Okay, I may have exaggerated just a bit; there are only 100 presents. I have been quite surprised at how well this Christmas season has gone for me and the kids. The last two years have been extremely difficult without John. We had to put on our game faces and we took it like men. This year has somehow been a bit easier. I think that we've finally hit our stride. Which is probably why I was surprised when the tears started to flow tonight.
We have a family tradition of Christmas eve bowling. John always loved anything that he could compete in, so naturally he and my brothers would have a great time trying to one up each other. Tonight, I really missed that. I felt like I could hear his laugh though. He use to throw his head back, flash that winning smile, and let out the most contagious laugh. I really loved that laugh.
Then as we went to my parents for dinner, it just felt empty. The kids had such a great time, but some of my brothers were missing, and it just wasn't the same. It was, however hilarious to watch the little kids play musical chairs and be introduced to losing for the first time in their lives. (Oh the tears, and the kicking, and the head banging)
On the drive home, I was just so lonely. I knew that I had so much to do tonight, and I had no one to help or to keep me company. I started to let the tears roll, and suddenly I was kneeling in my family room across from John. He was holding both my hands in one of his own, and hugging me with the other. He didn't say anything, he just held me. I knew that he was just as empty without me as I am without him. It's so hard this trial that we have had to endure. Both John and I have had to endure it without the benefit of each others support, though I know that he's always here. One day we will know the reason for this, but until then it just plain stinks.
I like to use the dentists office for a parable for things that are really painful. When I'm in the waiting room at the dentist office, I tell myself, "In one hour from now, you'll be driving home, and you'll be thinking, hey that wasn't that bad." I would like to think that in the near future, I will be able to look back on these dark years and say, Hey that wasn't that bad.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Confusion Re-loaded
I am so sorry it has taken me so long to post. Between Thanksgiving, book reports, sicknesses, and endless meetings, I have finally found a spare second to put some thoughts down.
First off, I want to thank each and every one of you for voting for the
Top Blog award.
I am truly madly deeply humbled by your love and support.
I misunderstood this weeks voting protocol and would like to clear it up.
The Blog Guide Book decided to use a different voting system this week, and that system
allowed for multiple votes
. However they still asked to keep the voting to one vote per person per week. Oops!
I take full responsibility for that one.
I do want to make sure to let everyone know how very thankful that I am for your continued concern in my life and the lives of my family.
I hope to be able to properly pay tribute to all that you have done for us, just by being there.
We have no idea the power that we hold to lift one another, or the share each others burdens.
Most of the time we are lead astray by the thought that a physical service has to be provided in order to be a help. I am here to tell you that that is not the case in any way.
Often, I have been lead through a difficult day by re-reading some comments on this blog.
I have felt of the prayers offered up for us.
I have been buoyed up, just knowing that I have people out there that care for me.
We all have that power within us.
Let's use our strengths for what they were given to us for...
Be a constant light in the darkness.
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