Thursday, September 29, 2016

Life Goes On

Thank you all for your sweet words and prayers on the losses in my family last week. 

It was truly a stressful and terribly emotional time for those of us left behind, and I have never been so happy to get back to my office and resume some semblance of 'normalcy."


Isn't it amazing how we crave the routines of a 'normal' day after being thrust in the midst of grief? 

The simple act of setting the alarm, snuggling into bed with a good book....waking, albeit reluctantly, with the sun and stumbling, sleepily into the kitchen for coffee.


The dogs need to go out, the dishwasher unloaded. There are clean clothes in the dryer, ready to be folded and put away. 

It's all the minutia of a 'normal' day, the stuff that keeps us grounded and somewhat sane after losing a loved one.


Life goes on. The leaves keep turning and falling. The birdfeeders need filling, the plants watering. 

We go to work, we stumble through. 

We head home at the end of the day, grateful to once again turn the key and enter our peaceful home, our retreat, our sanctuary. 


We prepare a meal, we wash the dishes and tidy the kitchen afterwards. 

The dogs are fed...we let them out, we let them in again. 

Perhaps a little TV before bed, or a few more chapters of that good book, until our eyes get heavy and it's bedtime once more. 


We get up in the morning, and do it all again. 

Life goes on. 

All the while, they are in our minds, in our hearts. 

Those we have lost, those we said goodbye to for the very last time. 

For those that are left behind, life goes on. 


Our choices are few.

We can crumple in a ball and weep in a corner...or we can pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and continue on. 


Life goes on. There is still beauty in every day, all around us, if only we open our eyes to see it. 

Life goes on. 

42 comments:

  1. Oh, sweetie, I'm so sorry for the losses this past week. I don't think we're ever really ready to let a loved one go, not in our heart anyway. I'm saying a prayer for you and I admire your outlook on life...life does go on. Your lovely home and grounds show much love.
    Blessings,
    Shelia ;)

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  2. Yes it does. Go on. With or without them, unfortunately. I'm sorry you've had so many losses in such a short time. A double, triple whammy.
    Brenda

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    1. It's been unreal, all the losses in such a short time. My mom lost 3 brothers in 5 months, plus a brother in law! Please, God, we'll get a break for a while.

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  3. This is such a beautiful post, Debbie. It really tugged at my heart, especially since the anniversary of my son's passing was just four days ago. To this day, people still ask me how I've managed to go on (it's been seven years) and I tell them I have a choice: I can either curl up in a ball and hide and be depressed, or I can get out of bed and put one foot in front of the other. I choose to do the latter. And surrounding myself with loving, supportive friends and family members help a lot, too. My heart and prayers go out to you with your losses. May you find some comfort in knowing that even your blog friends are keeping you close. xoxo

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    1. So true, Melanie, you have no other choice, do you? My heart goes out to you, my friend xoxo

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  4. Oh sweet girl, I know your heart is still heavy. I know that feeling of going to sleep and our lost love one is our last thought before drifting off and then our first thought upon awakening.Hugs to all of you. xoxo, Susie

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    1. And in the wee hours when you can't sleep, Susie, those that have left pop into our minds for a visit.

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  5. Oh, friend. I'm sorry for your losses. It seems impossible to suffer two so closely together. Sending you a hug. Be kind to yourself.

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    1. Thank you so much, Jen - and yes, it was a terrible week and I'm so glad it's over.

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  6. I hope each day helps to heal your heart, Deb. These are difficult times, for sure.

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  7. Our choices are few...so true. I am sending hugs your and wish you some peaceful moments this weekend.

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    1. I'm working this weekend, but I almost don't even mind, Kim, because it at least keeps me busy and my mind occupied!

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  8. Wishing you and your family healing and peace during this difficult time Deb.

    xxx

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  9. Yes it does! One day at a time, one step at a time, life goes on.

    Much love, hugs and prayers for you dear Debbie ~ FlowerLady

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  10. So sorry to hear about your losses Debbie. Prayers for you as you continue to heal...Take Care.

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  11. Beautiful words! Hugs and prayers!

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  12. I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. My father's passing crushed me for quite a while. Stay strong, cry when necessary, and remember the love he gave you. xox

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    1. My uncle was always part of my life, he was one of the few I had in the US - he will be dearly missed. So sorry about your father - xo

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  13. Thank you for a very well written and thoughtful post. It is wonderful to have such warm memories of a loved one. My mom has been gone since 1980 and I still miss her. Be good to yourself...

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    1. Thank you, Donna - and I'm sure your mom is happy to know you still think of her often.

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  14. You are so right -- we go on but we never forget. The process of grieving goes on a very long time - coming and going. I was watching a movie the other day and there was one line that was spoken that reminded me of my dad and I burst into tears -- happy to have that memory of him, but sad that he is gone. My prayers are with you as you and your family heals.

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    1. Thank you so much, and yes, it is amazing how the tiniest thing can bring back the pain in a heartbeat.

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  15. Each day is a gift and another expression of love for all that we have and for those we have known who made our lives a bit better. Blessings...

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  16. I so understand this...sometimes what you want most is the most ordinary day. I know this must be a very hard time for you...xo

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    1. I am ever so grateful today for an ordinary day, Linda

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  17. I have thought of you so often since the last post...there are no words aside from we've been there in the loss of loved ones but dealing with two so close together is harder than most of us had to bear. I remember plodding through the days ( where you are now ) looking for the joy at one moment and feeling numb at another...and holding it in for the most part then crying myself to sleep at night for months...We have you in our thoughts and hearts :)

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  18. I have thought of you so often since the last post...there are no words aside from we've been there in the loss of loved ones but dealing with two so close together is harder than most of us had to bear. I remember plodding through the days ( where you are now ) looking for the joy at one moment and feeling numb at another...and holding it in for the most part then crying myself to sleep at night for months...We have you in our thoughts and hearts :)

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  19. (((((HUGS))))) There is comfort in our daily routines isn't there. My prayers continue to be there with you.

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    1. Thank you, Debbie - yes, much comfort to be found in the 'normal' day!

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