This Week...

I have given a lot of thought to how this week should feel. All year we've silently counted down to the one year mark. So much has happened in so few days. 365. That's all it takes to travel from there to here.

Today I'm sitting in front of my new computer typing out my thoughts as my 7 month old puppy hops around at my feet. She makes me so happy, I can't imagine not having her with me.
Tomorrow, I return to my doctor's office. With any luck, he'll release me back to work. It will be good I think.
Wednesday, I've been asked to return to Gateway College as a guest speaker. I love these times and always look forward to being used for these purposes.

And then there is Thursday.....

I can't believe we're here. I can't believe how readily my heart opens up to pour out the old sting. The pain of losing my beautiful Laurie feels hot, and fresh this week. The heaviness of it cuts off air in my lungs. I've decided to allow it to wound me just this once. I'll take all the pain. I'll feel it full force and then let it slip free. I need the freedom that Laurie herself has. I need the freedom to move on.

There is This Woman I Know....

She absolutely defies all odds. When the going gets tough, she always gets tougher. When life seems to be spinning out of control, she finds the grace to let go and let God take the reigns. She exemplifies faithfulness. No matter how rough things get, she finds time for the important things. The demands on her time and resources are HUGE, but still she gives tirelessly of herself.
My Aunt Barb does not seek out praise from others. In a thousand tiny ways a day she serves with no thought of thanks. Today she made time for me in the middle of caring for three small children, and running errands. I am blessed. She loves me. Even on days when it would be easier to pull the covers over her head and shut out the world, this woman rises to every challenge. I have yet to see one instance where my Mom's Big Sister has not given 110%!
If I am lucky, many years from now, it will be said that I am like the great women who were before me. People like my Mother, and my Aunt Barb.