Saturday, December 24, 2011

Christmas...



Reflection...Quietness. Thankfulness. Warmed by the Christmas goodies my daughter just baked. Some of the same Mom used to do. (love the magic bars) A wonderful moment to see her/Abbey in the kitchen baking. I know she misses Mom so much..why of course..hello.
Cherish these family moments. I see the pictures of Christmas past..and I do smile and I think of that very moment and how we felt, where we were, what we were doing. A good, true friend sent the most special picture of last Christmas..Becky and I standing by the tree. It is priceless.
This year Abbey and I will try to create a new picture, a new memory..perhaps a new tradition.
Or, we will simply just 'be'..just be in the moment..Thank you God for the moment of the star..
For the Prince Of Peace..Sing glory..

Many warm, merry, bright and memorable Christmas moments to you all..Love, Love, Love..and again, Love..

Bill and Abbey

Friday, December 16, 2011

Going through..

Going through the days. Having some good moments along with the other. The tree looks pretty..Outside lights need a little help, but they are there. Manger scene on the mantle..a family nativity from back in the day. Just thankful to have what I have..so very thankful.
Abbey done with school finals..what a week, but looks like all went well. She did her best.
Getting cards..so many words of care and support. I send you support also...

May your days be merry and bright..

Much Love,

Bill and Abbey

Thursday, December 8, 2011

The Marker.. and a Bday...

Just part of this journey..seeing the headstone, marker finally in place. Abbey and I saw it a few days ago..We were silent when first upon it...then commented on how 'good' it looked..the glossy black granite reflected our faces..the blue sky. We felt as if we were peering into another world..or time just stopped and/or we were still for a photo. Still felt surreal to see it..but there it was and will be. And again, it actually looked so nice.."beautiful, wonderful" just below Becky's name..perfectly etched..along with "Psalm 71, Celebrate life".
Hope you are celebrating..We did yesterday, Abbey's sweet 16 birthday..Had a really fulfilling day..A surprise party..Abbey was moved, delighted..She laughed, she talked and talked..Mom would have loved it. Abbey was most pleased and comforted by the many who gave her hugs and love..

Much love to you all..

Celebrate life..Stay calm during the Christmas rush.

Bill and Abbey

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Sail away..

I think, well I know, many caretakers, spouses, after enduring or experiencing the lengthy illness of a loved one, feel perhaps stirred to conquer or embrace other endeavors to 'sail away'...Maybe not join the Peace Corps in a wore torn country, or enroll in a nursing program or Harvard med school, but the journey propels them, emboldens them to think and/or want to pursue other horizons. Many of the grief books I have read say this can be quite common, and how many charities or benefits-foundations are seen because a loved one was stirred? Well, I suppose I am no different. Yet, time is the great equalizer. One must let time and a sense of life normalcy become present before the world conquering is assumed. Ok, maybe not world conquering, but some form of adventure even if it's within a zipcode area. I guess I must let more time pass before this adventure becomes a reality..What adventure? I'll be back for an exciting answer right after this week's long commercial break, in other words, stay tuned, just don't know. I am blessed to be where I am...to have the job I have, I truly am. Thanksgiving, you bet, I give thanks to have a job...
I have a daughter to guide and support. I have a car that needs gasoline..I have expenses just like you do..and these expenses really don't much care about my need for other endeavors or wonderful foundations. So, common sense and calm should also be in the recipe as calendar days and months are checked off...
OK, just had to vent this...Perhaps because I went to City Of Hope today..to visit someone I knew hospitalized there? Plus maybe I needed to feel the last days of Becky being there...in some strange way helping with the healing process..maybe that too. but mostly, it was to see someone I knew being treated. Prayers to these wonderful people. It was good to see nurse Emily and others..really was..really DOES help with the healing process..and I do believe that process is going OK for Abbey and me. With grief, there is NO set pattern for anyone..no exactness..as mentioned before, everyone walks a unique grief road..unique to them..no two persons are the same stamp when it comes to enduring grief. So I say to anyone enduring grief..Your road is your road. I recall that great philosopher Forrest Gump..Grief is sorta, kinda indeed like a box of chocolates..but the twist is, most the time you do know what you are going to get with grief. Tears, heartache, sometimes hopelessness, but sometimes just never know what you are going to feel like after you get it..or when you will get the grief moments. Ya just never know what you are going to get, when you get it..I know this analogy is perhaps a stretch, but it just felt right for this moment. I am thankful for these silly analogies..they somehow produce a lighthearted moment when needed. And yes, in grief, lighthearted moments will come..may take a day, may take a month, but they will come..
Thank you God for humor..for laughter, for providing hope..when all may seem lost..thank you...

Onward forward..Celebrate this wonderful life,

Bill and Abbey