My last post was on August 23rd, the day our water pump died.  Well, all by itself it started working that night.  It was very strange.  On Wednesday August 24th  my husband got up and walked into the bathroom.  He called that he needed help.  He was not looking too good so I called the rescue squad. Before I knew what was going on, he was lying on the floor with several people working on him. Within 30 minutes my husband had died.  I still cannot believe he left me.  I am so blessed to have three wonderful children who have been unbelievably helpful and have given me strength.  They were here with me going through my husband’s things and helped me pack his clothes for donation to area thrift stores and Goodwill.  We laughed over some of the things Gary held on to.  He was a bit of a pack rat.  I think I will probably be going through stuff for a year!

As I was standing outside of the bathroom, I said, “God’s will be done.”  I meant it then and I still mean it now.  I learned along time ago that the Lord has a plan for us all and it doesn’t necessarily agree with our plans.  Gary was only 63 years old.  I expected us to live into our old age together and to make memories with our grandchildren.  But, God called him home and I need to learn to live without him.

My girls handled Gary’s Celebration of Life for me.  We had one here in September and one in PA in October.  It was comforting to see all of the people who came to remember Gary and hear some of the stories about him we had never heard before.

It has been hard.

Because of my daughter in law’s illness I spent almost a month with them to take care of my 7 month old granddaughter.  I am so sorry that the kids had to go through Karina’s illness, but I was so blessed to spend the time with the baby.  That time was a time of healing for me.  I was able to focus on the wonder of life given us by God.  They live right on the beach so I also had the beauty of the ocean for comfort.

So, one day at a time.  Learn a new routine.  Enjoy the life I’ve been given.

“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
Revelation 21:4