Grief's Journey

Three days out-of-town with my girls & extended family. It was a great escape for us. Beautiful place. Chance to talk & catch up. I think it was the best thing for all of us.

mc2

The Best Thing I Did for myself this Week was, Spend the weekend with a friend ans her family. Had a great time as we watched the University of Louisville win to play for the NCCA basketball championship

ijbj

Peggy,..back brush for the shower...I think I need one of those too. Thanks for the idea.

Best thing I did for myself (& my girls), for the week, "Harry Potter" DVD marathon. The girls snuggled in the room with me, one had to be on the cot on the floor (tall babies), watched, laughed , cried , talked, ate chips... I think it took us three or four days to complete. We'd start after I've done my work for the day; stopped for: meals; bathroom breaks; & work phone calls.

Summer is hard because I think it's when my girls really feel the loss of their dad the most. Mike would always make time for them during school breaks. Especially, the last two years before his death. When he was out of the corporate rat race & was an independent corporate consultant. Going out for ice cream on hot summer days; dip in the pool; visit to the dollar store; playing nintendo (yup, he still had a working set)...even washing the car with them helping.

Last summer, I was busy setting up the business. I'm fortunate I have more time this year.

Making new traditions...letting go of some...continuing with others...all while carrying the pain of the loss. Is sometimes daunting & frustrating...I do have to consider the feelings of my daughters & where they are in their development & grief. Still when it happens it helps us connect & bond more. It's us continuing in our journey...holding our family together.

mc2

The best thing I did for myself this week was buy a back brush for the shower. It feels great to scratch where it itches. Now if I could just find something to apply lotion to my back!
Peggy

I just read the poem  Walk Within You posted by Branch. So true
IJBJ 

Hmmmm...I really like the idea of a book. I'm pondering several things, but haven't settled on the title yet.  But I will figure it out, and will start the book today.

And it will be an actual book. I want to record my growth, my struggles, my accomplishments, my questions, my joys, my gratitudes.

Thanks, Branch, for planting the seed of the idea. Mwah! 
Peggy

I've been thinking about that too, Peggy, as something to give to my children.  The thing is, I don't write in a journal, I write here.  I'm still trying to figure out how to amass all my posts so I can print them.  This will be my way of showing my children what I went through and how far I have progressed.

I have elicited Branch's assistance, but I guess it's a more difficult task than I realized.  I'm sure others would be interested in this project as well.

So Sad

Peggy thanks for the essay

Ijbj /Iva

thank you Peggy,..that was indeed a beautiful essay...I needed it today

"no one is to poor to give & no one is too rich to receive"...I need to recognize the miracle that is happening to me everyday...be humble enough to receive it. I know it's not always easy because of the pain of losing Mike...

Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened...That one came from Dr.Seuss

I'm smiling this morning ...I can hear Mike singing, "what are you doing the rest of your life..."(the first love song he sang to me...& sang throughout our years together, I was never sure what the title was).

mc2

 
Peggy

Saw this this morning and it hit home for me  Posted by Served.

Special people touch our lives in everything they do and leave us changed long after they are gone. The gifts they give us can become a part of who we are . A legacy of beauty that lives on.

Longing is the price we pay for having loved. Had we not known joy we would not miss it's passing.

Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened...That one came from Dr.Seuss

I know that although my grief is my own, I am not alone and others support me and comfort me on my journey.

I take her compassion with me. Each day I read something on GJ that helps me on this journey.