Twenty years (ten years since the last)

It is an odd feeling to think that today would have been our 20th wedding anniversary.

We made it to ten years and I am so thankful that Andy insisted we celebrate our 10th anniversary with time alone -a trip for just the two of us.  (I am thankful he blogged about our trip and our tenth.) We celebrated it in the most "extravagant" way we could afford. We went to Atlantic Beach for a weekend. I value the memories of that time together. It really does not matter how a couple celebrates, as long as they treasure each other and being together.

I remember a few months after Andy died, a couple with whom we were friends, found out the husband had to transfer to Georgia for his job. She stayed here with their children so that they could finish out the school year. She did not want to move several states away and she voiced the possibility of her staying in Virginia and visiting him a few times a month. I told her, I would rather live in a cardboard box and be with my husband than have anything else.

I was reminded Sunday of the preciousness of time and memories as one of the sweet kids in my church class, handed me a book to read. It was a book I had not encountered before, Let Me Hold You a Longer, by Karen Kingsbury. (Warning, do not read it without tissues.) It is a reminder that you never quite know which memory might be a last. Treasure and savour each one as if it might be a last.

dinner:
Chick-fil-a

currently listening to:
news

currently reading: 
booked
revelation
decluttering at the speed of life


today grateful for:  
my boys 
ten years of memories
andy's writings 
faith
God's peace 
His word 
God's plan

reflections

Tonight we attended our regular meeting of the bereavement support group for kids and families. As the adult group met, I spoke of what a comfort Andy's blog has been to me. Periodically, I go back and read what he wrote to reminisce, remember life events or just because. It is like I can hear his voice as I read his words.

This month would have been our 15th anniversary. So I went back and read
his post of our 10th anniversary...

...life
 autumn

...then others about the boys.
amazement
faith
fatherhood


He would be so proud of the boys.

T is a responsible, considerate young man. For the past several weeks, T has taken initiative and responsibility to do all of his assigned chores and ask what else he can do. He has kept up with his laundry, cleaning his room and keeping up with his homework. He is learning so much in the way of faith and the ways of God. I love those moments when he explains these things he has learned and knows.

M is maturing as well. Tonight in his group, he made his brother a special jar and presented it to T. They embraced and showed the kind of brotherly love that we pray for.

I know there will be days of frustration but I want to remember these small reflections on my joys. I love my boys no matter what. When they read these words and reminisce of days past, they will remember these small moments and how proud I am of them.

dinner:
at bereavement group-pizza, fruit, veggies and cupcakes

currently listening to:
game 5 of the world series

currently reading:
1 corinthians 13
roll of thunder, hear my cry
run your butt off
just enough light for the step i'm on

today grateful for: 
my two, amazing, wonderful boys
andy's writings
faith
God's peace
His word 
my brother
my job
good health 
bereavement resources

Nothing's gonna hold me down

The last days of September (Andy's birthday) through the first days of October (our wedding anniversary followed by the day we met-we married 364 days after we met) are not the easiest for me. This week with book fair, a HECTIC time, along with late evenings for parent teacher conference night have made it physically as well as mentally exhausting.

This weekend was a renewing time for me. Friday night we hung out with friends enjoying outside joys of autumn-my favorite season! Saturday, we got to work at our church's workday and my boys and I loved it! They were eager to work and that made my heart swell joyfully! If you know my youngest, you know that he is an independent thinker who likes to be in control---so his gratitude and eagerness were a big treat for me.

This morning we visited a local church that was sponsoring the Children of the World choir from World Hope. Wow...what a joy!

Please consider sponsoring a child through World Help and take a minute to check out the Baby Rescue program. Plus I highly recommend Noel Yeatts' book, Awake 

This song is now one of my favs! It is my new morning anthem. I want it played at my funeral!

"I know the King of Kings is holding my hand,

nothing's gonna take this joy!"

brunch:
eggs- sunny side up, 
cheese grits, 
coffee, 
apples, 
bacon, 
biscuits,
oranges

currently listening to:
Nothing's gonna hold me down \o/

currently reading: 
unglued
psalm 139
a wrinkle in time 

today grateful for: 
every moment
Jesus 
my boys 
10 years of marriage to Andy
worship music
World Help
Children of the World choir & their sponsors
fellowship 
our church
friends 
provision 
good health 
cool autumn weather 
fresh water 
my job
a working automobile

12 years

Today is the 12th anniversary of our wedding. I think of that autumn day often since we live about 3/4 of a mile away from the field in which we were married and we pass by it at least twice daily. The boys know the location and sometimes it is a game to see who can say first, "There is the field where Mommy and Daddy were married." (Once while looking through our wedding album, T wanted to know why he wasn't in any of the pictures. LOL ) We were blessed to have such a beautiful location looking into the mountains as we exchanged our vows.

Tomorrow is the 13th anniversary of the day Andy and I met. We had communicated for months via the internet before we met in a city mid way between where he lived in NC and I lived in VA. Prior to our meeting, I had enjoyed our conversations but I was positive I would not date him because, in my opinion, he was so conservative. I referred to him as "Mr. Young Republican." He did not correct me that he was actually a libertarian. In those days I was the Birkenstock-clad, gauzy-skirt-wearing, vegetarian liberal.

I was late to meet him that day as I walked into the agreed upon meeting spot. When I saw him, my heart fluttered. I can close my eyes now and see him at that very moment.

I have neatly packed away the shirt he was wearing that day. The dress that I wore to meet him that day is what I wore to the memorial service. How can 13 years seem like such a long time ago while also feeling like it happened just yesterday.


Currently listening to:
our song

Dinner:
seafood & salad

Currently reading:
The Power of a Praying Life
The Barefoot Book
The Element

Today grateful for:
living in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains
a faithful babysitter
the years I had with my beloved
autumn
God and His blessings