Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Sad Expressions

Today was a hard day.  I attended a funeral for a colleague.  She was young (44) and leaves behind two sons and a devoted husband.  Needless to say, I was keenly aware of her children's pain as I face that with my boys every day.

Rest in peace, Julia.  I'm honored to have known you.  And I will continue to keep Rad and the boys in my prayers.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

What a difference a year makes

I just re-read the few blogs I've written in the past year.  Didn't write much.  need to get better about that.

Of course, one of the few I wrote was in June -- because June is a bad month for me.  And now it's much worse.

I can't believe I haven't written about what has happened the past few months.  Maybe writing makes it too real.  On April 15 of this year, I got a phone call from my ex-husband's mom.  My youngest son, J, was supposed to leave for Texas the next day for his annual spring break visit with his dad.  Bob's mom called to tell me that Bob was in the hospital and that I shouldn't send J.  They thought he had a stroke.  So, I cancelled J's trip.

My youngest stepdaughter, Linda, left that night for Texas (from Louisiana).  By Sunday, the hospital was saying that it was prescription drug withdrawal and sent him home.  At that point, we decided to send my oldest son, C.  He flew into Texas Thursday morning.  Linda left the next day.  C and I talked daily.  His dad was not doing very well -- hallucinating, not knowing where he was.

Still, I expected things to get better.  They didn't.  C was supposed to come home the following Monday.  That morning at 530am, he called me and said he was taking his dad to the hospital.  A half hour later, Linda called saying the hospital had called her and said that Bob had a heart attack and was in critical condition.  At 7am,  C called me.

His dad was gone.

What?

How can that be?

Two months later, I'm still numb.  And pissed off.  And sad.

I need to write more about the whole "trip to Texas" experience.  But not now.

I was talking about June.

The boys always went to visit their dad in June.  Because Fathers day is in June.  And Bob's birthday is June 23.

Needless to say, it has been a rough few weeks.  And, of course, today is the anniversary of my mom's death.  25 years.  Feels like yesterday.  That hole inside of me is still there.  And now my boys have holes too.

June sucks.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Thankful Expressions

Thank you.  To my husband.  To my children.  To God.  To my friends.  To my mom and grandma.  To my spirit guides.  To the angels.

I will never be able to show enough gratitude.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

New Year Expressions

2010
 was a tough year for us.  As my oldest son approached the big 18th birthday, we struggled.  He struggled to become an adult.  I stuggled to let him become an adult.  How could I be his mom and let him grow when all I want to do is protect him.  He reached that milestone on the day after Christmas.  I look at him and see a 6 week old baby.

And my youngest son is approaching his 13th birthday.  He's gaining a lot of independence.  He seems to have conquered middle school with no problem.

Over the past few weeks, as I've been struggling to figure out what my role is supposed to be in their lives, I've realized that I haven't spent enough time praying...and trusting God to handle things.  I've gotten better.

The other day I was watching television (CSI Miami, believe it or not) and heard a prayer that is exactly what I need.

Angels of God
From Heaven so bright,
Watch over my children
And guide them a-right.
Fold your wings round them
And guard them with love.
Sing to them softly
From Heaven above.

I don't have it memorized yet...but I will...and it's going to become my mantra and my focus.