Good Morning and may this be the start of a great week for you.
We have had a few days of relief from the humidity that is a normal part of summer in North Carolina. The early mornings have found me beginning my day here.
Just me, my coffee and my new book of devotions.
This past month as my mom continues her struggle with Alzheimer's and my sister is working so hard to recover from her stroke, I have found it difficult to sit by and watch them suffer. It is such a helpless feeling. Though I get up every day and carry on with my daily routines, it is impossible to not be thinking about them constantly. At times I have felt like there isn't any more room inside of me for sadness.
On a recent morning this was my devotion. It really spoke to me and I know that it is so true. We all do go through periods of pain, sadness and stress. It is easy in these times to just want life to be "normal" again. "Caving in" can seem so much easier than persevering. But, that doesn't change anything except to make you feel worse. I know that I want to wear the "crown of life". I want to welcome each day with a prayer for those who I know are hurting and suffering. I want to concentrate on positive ways that I might be able to help them through the rough times.
Yes there is sadness and suffering in life. But, there is also great beauty and happiness. If I choose to live in sadness I will miss the good things that each day has to offer. Getting up early this morning to savor my morning coffee as a gentle, cooling breeze blew and the birds sang was a simple yet beautiful moment in my day. Opening my blinds to a new day and seeing the crape myrtles in full bloom was another small but happy moment in my day.
A good visit with my mom today, observing one of the CNAs being so kind and compassionate to her were moments of beauty among the sadness.
Calling my sister tonight and finding her able to say more words than last week and also hearing that she is able to move her foot and hand a little bit was a fantastic and wonderful way to end my day. Though I know she still has a long road ahead of her in this recovery process, I am so elated and happy to know that she is showing progress.
Your kind comments and e-mails have been a real blessing to me. Every time I think of people that have never met me in person taking the time to think of me and say a prayer for my sister and my mom I get tears in my eyes. Tears of joy and tears that make me want to put on the crown of life and keep it on!!
This week I will be be getting ready for a dinner party to celebrate my in-laws 60th anniversary. The following week I am flying to Michigan to spend time with my sister. I am planning to print all of the inspiring comments you have made since I shared her story and take them with me. If you would like to offer any words of encouragement to her as she goes through her therapy I know she would be happy to read them. Her name is Norma.
Thank you for being you and sharing you with me :-)
Dear Kim
ReplyDeleteI woke up extra early this AM to reflect and prepare for a very busy day. This is the first thing I saw when I opened my google reader. What a wonderful passage in your book! You are right....it's just to easy to cave in....but you are marching on as is Norma. May God watch over her and continue to guide her back into health. I will continue to keep you, Norma and your mom in my prayers.
Thank you for a beautiful start to my day
XoXo
Robin
Thank you for an inspiring post on a Monday mornig. It inspired me to a little devotional reading this morning. I continue to pray for your sister and her daily struggles. I also pray for you to have all the strength you need to provide for your family. It is a tough role indeed.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week Kim. I am so glad you are going to get to fly to MI and see your sister! Your coffee pot on the deck with the flowers is darling!
ReplyDeleteAs I face my week of some uncertainities on the horizon, it brought me great joy and comfort to read your very well done and beautiful post today. A definite favorite post in my book. Thank you for encouraging my heart with the inspiring devotional, and the kind, and caring words that you shared. God has blessed me with strength for the day, through you, my friend. What you are facing is certainly a very difficult situation, and I feel honored to remember you and your family in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteHi Kim,
ReplyDeleteLoved your post and got a real blessing from it. We can always find something to be grateful for. I used to tell my Bible Study ladies "Have you checked your pulse today" ?
So glad you get to go and spend time with Norma. What part of MI? We lived in Mt.Clemens, Warren, Sterling Hts. before moving to SC.
Have a safe and profitable trip.
What a beautiful post! You just hang in there.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing that sometimes, just because life is going so very well, we don't even pause to consider that "into every life"? I have been thinking about this quite a bit and it can all happen so very quickly as it did with your sister. Every one of us will endure times of trial and testing, fraility, and ill-health, but it doesn't have to touch our spirits if we will remember to be thankful and grateful for every thing that God provides and invite Him in to our situations. Then we can sit back and watch Him do what He loves doing best.
ReplyDeleteI pray for your sister every time I visit here...gives you a reason to post now, doesn't it? :D
All good thoughts, wishes, and prayers that she will work hard and recover completely. She's already an achiever I can tell. God bless you all!
Thank you for starting my day off with such a beautiful and inspiring post.
ReplyDeleteMy prayers are with your mom, Norma, and you Kim.....
A friend of mine gave me a beautiful keepsake stone with these inspiring words, and I pass this on to you..."If HE brings you to it....... HE will bring you through it."
Hugs,
Dolores
What a beautiful post...in the middle of your times of uncertainty! Thanks for reminding us to look for beauty even in those difficult periods of life. Blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteHi Kim,
ReplyDeleteThere is such truth and wisdom in your words. To chose joy amidst trials is truly the only way to indeed persevere and flourish. You've inspired many with these words today. I continue to keep your family in prayer as God brings you to mind. Hope the anniversary party goes beautifully, and I'll be thinking of you as your spend time with your sister. No doubt it will be an especially cherished time. = )
Norma,
Just wanted you to know I'm lifting prayers on your behalf...for strength, patience, perseverance & peace in the coming weeks. I'm also praying God gives you joy as you journey toward a full recovery. So grateful to hear about your progress, thus far.
Blessings,
Tracy
What an inspiring and uplifting post - such a wonderful way to face problems that we all have at times. It's nice to know that God is there with us.
ReplyDeleteI pray for you Norma each day while on my morning walk. So glad to hear you are improving and hope you continue to improve each day. I think you are lucky to have such a wonderful sister in Kim.
Such good news that your sister is making progress and I am so happy that you are going to go see her! Thank you for this most inspirational post. There are so many things to be thankful for! Love and Prayers, Twyla
ReplyDeleteThanks for answering those questions. We used to go to Plymouth and Northville for the shops and to eat sometimes. I hope you have a great time with family.
ReplyDeleteHi Kim,
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautifully written post and with such love and thought.
Norma,
Everyone is thinking of you and hoping and praying for your recovery and that you will soon be home with your family.You have the best sister,Kim loves you so. Sister's are great aren't they!.
Kim I know you will enjoy your visit with your sister, let us know how she is doing.
Hugs,
Elizabeth
Kim,
ReplyDeleteSorry your mom and sister are not well. I know how hard it is to have family who are sick. Your flowers are beautiful and you have a very nice blog. The devotion was encouraging. I'll keep your family in my prayers. Please feel free to visit my blog.
What a beautiful post, Kim. I continue to pray for your mother and sister.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to take time to sit and reflect and enjoy simple things. Somehow it just seems to help.
You're in my thoughts.
Hugs,
Donna
It is difficult to watch the ones you love suffer. But as you mentioned, it is part of life. Where there is joy, there is also sadness. And it is what you do with it that makes the difference. It's okay to fall apart; we wouldn't be normal if we didn't. But then we must pick ourselves up and go on living.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
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ReplyDelete