Changes

This is from a card I received this week and because it touched my heart...I share it with you:

Remembering...

A first birthday is an exciting event,

A memorable occasion.

A first anniversary is happy too;

That is, if it's a wedding anniversary.

But how about the first anniversary of a death?

I've never found a card for that one.

Do we ignore it?

I doubt that Lisa can,

And Tom is worth remembering.

I won't ignore it either.

For I can't think of a better time to say,

I love you.

My heart is aching too.

And if it's not appropriate to say Happy Anniversary,

I can say

Congratulations, God and Lisa!

Together you've survived the first year.

No, more than that.

You've conquered it.

And the second time around

Is never quite as

hard.

-Dorthy Hsu Seitzinger

Thank You, Dorothy...you know, you understand...I love you!

 

After a great "stay-cation" with Carylee I was able to come home, repack and receive sweet encouragement from so many cards, emails, texts, gifts of love and an awesome lunch with Zac and Sarah.

A heart griping, timely book...

Thank You, Kay Scott!

Pumpkin Muffins from Cory & Karen Estabrook

Thank You!

A basket full of comforting items from my MOPS moms

Thank You!

Beautiful flowers from the Deacons at Grace Polaris

Thank You!

 

Ginny took me on a get-away trip to Holmes County, Ohio to step back in time, slow down and reflect.  The first stop on our journey was to Smucker's in Orrville, Ohio.

Fun times...

Amish Country...peace & comfort

Tranquility...



A highlight of our trip...

watching the children come down the hill after school,

hop on their bikes and ride home...priceless!

What fun it was to meet up with Ginny's niece and two daughters on Friday night for pizza and a stay in this beautiful log cabin just two doors down from Ginny's niece's house!  Saturday morning we enjoyed a BIG Amish breakfast and more shopping with Autumn and her girls.  From there we headed to Mansfield to spend time with Ginny's parents and help with a painting project.

What a joy for me to be able to "give back" and help out with this project.  What sweet hosts Ginny's parents were.  I always enjoy my time with them and appreciate their faithful prayers on my behalf.  Will you please join with me in lifting up Ginny's dad who took a nasty fall on Saturday?  No broken bones (that we know of) but a lot of bruising and soreness.  Sunday we enjoyed worshiping at Berean Bible Church and then an amazing pot roast lunch made by Ginny's mom...YUM!
Sunday night found me with a grateful heart singing the praises of my friends and thanking the Lord for the opportunities He blesses me with and at the same time I felt myself sinking back into "woe is me" as the reality of "coming back" to the real world and an empty house...bittersweet...good times mingle with the sadness of Tom not here to share life experiences with.  I know he'd be so excited to hear all about my adventures...so I just talked to him as though he was here listening!  I thank the Lord for seeing me through this last year.  The last three weeks were the hardest...remembering the three weeks of hospice a year ago.  But, Thursday was filled with peace.  Peace of knowing where Tom is...heaven.  Peace in my decisions...knowing Tom would approve.  Peace in my heart...knowing I'll see Tom again.  Peace in my home...children who love me and Jesus.

"But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth,

in which righteousness dwells.  Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things,

be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless,

and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation;"

II Peter 3:13-15a

 



It wasn't all that long ago that I shared..."it's not like October 10th will come and I'll be making any major decisions"...wrong!  Yes, I got a job.  Yes, I sold my (our) home (to Zac & Sarah!).  Yes, I bought a condo (closing 11/14)!  AND...tomorrow (10/16) I'm having surgery!  Change...yes, a lot!  Never in a million years could I have guessed all this would happen so quickly and easily...I trust it is the Lord opening and closing doors to make this transition as smooth as He can for me.  I continue to trust Him for the grace for each day, and so far, He's been extremely faithful in meeting me right where I need Him!
About the surgery...in March I had a mastectomy and at that time the surgeon placed an expander and a port with the hopes of reconstruction at a later date.  Well...since my heart block and the need for a pacemaker I am now not a candidate for reconstruction...too high risk of infection with a pacemaker.  So the surgery is to remove the expander and port.  It is an out-patient surgery.  I am not planning on any complications, however I am trusting God for my heart to stay strong (or at least that the pacer will function as needed!).  I am thankful Sarah is able to take the day off to go with me.  Thank you in advance for your continued prayers.

A dozen roses from my dad...

Heaven rejoiced when Tom arrived one year ago...

we will never forget how Tom touched our lives!

I love you, Dad

A beautiful prayer shawl & CD...

Thank You, Margo Belkofer

Ginny & I purchased 42 pounds of golden delicious apples while we were in Amish country.  Yesterday we cut, cooked, strained and froze the most yummy applesauce!

Thank You, Ginny...you're awesome!

One Year Ago

Listen With Your Heart

Memories are a treasure time cannot take away,

so may you be surrounded by happy ones today...

May all the love and tenderness of golden years well spent,

come back today to fill your heart with beauty and content...

And may you walk down memory lane and meet the one you love,

for while you cannot see him, he'll be watching from above...

And if you trust your dreaming, your faith will make it true,

and if you listen with your heart he'll come and talk with you...

So for his sake be happy and show him that his love,

has proven strong and big enough to reach down from above...

And you will never walk alone when memories door swings wide,

for you'll find that your beloved is always at your side.

 

J. Thomas Anglea

November 3, 1962 ~ October 10, 2012

 

Last weekend Tom's family gathered together to celebrate our niece, Leah's wedding to Pete Cavanaugh.  What a beautiful celebration we enjoyed as they joined their hearts as one.  The only piece missing from a beautiful day was "Uncle Tom". 

 

Sweet Sisters

Cherith & Hannah

 

One of the best parts of the weekend was meeting my great nephew & niece:



Great Aunt Lisa & Ian Thomas Walker

Sarah & Kennedy Faith Miller

 

Matt, Pops, Granny, Sarah & Zac

 

Uncle Y.T., Aunt Patsy, Granny & Pops

What an encouraging Sunday sermon...a great reminder of our eternal home.  What a blessing to know that "there is more to come"!  Thanks Terry for remembering and allowing us to marvel in God's amazing plan!

 

 

Because I have the most amazing friends ever...I have not been wallowing in the "woe is me" syndrome this week.  The one year anniversary of Tom's home-going has been planned and prepared by my friends.  This week, Carylee planned a "staycation".  We enjoyed the comforts of her in-law suite, biking adventure, Graeter's Ice Cream, Piada dinner, the movie "Grace Unplugged", shopping, Tom's Ice Cream Bowl, prayer time and great fellowship! At the end of my sweet time with Carylee I will then be doted upon by Ginny!  Our plans are to enjoy the beauty of Fall in the Amish territory of Holmes County, Ohio! I am blessed.

Biking to Downtown Westerville

A Trip to Zanesville...Tom's Ice Cream Bowl

A Family Tradition Over the Years!

I am so thankful for the strength the Lord continues to give me.  I know that Tom wants me to be happy and move on...not forgetting him, but living with him in my heart and treasuring the precious memories we had for 28+ years!



"Blessed be the Lord,

Because He has heard the voice of my supplication.
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart exults,
And with my song I shall thank Him.
The Lord is their strength,
And He is a saving defense to His anointed."

Psalm 28:6-8