Good morning all. Sometimes life brings our way struggles, issues, pain, misunderstanding, illnesses... we all have it, we all experience it. This past week and weekend have been very emotionally gut-wrenching, watching my dear cousin, Debra, deal with the disposal of her parents' house and belongings. She was such a daddy's girl and she talked to her daddy every single day on the phone since they did not live in the same town. Her mother had had quite an ordeal, going slowly downhill with her health in the last couple of years, and Debra's daddy was the caregiver. He was tender, never tiring, taking care of his "sweetheart" for oh so long. They'd been married 50+ years. Debra and her kids gathered up things from the house that meant something to them (photos, mementos, etc) and things that they'd use, sold alot of the rest. I bought my uncle's tiller for my garden and my aunt's canning supplies.
It was a long hot humid weekend. The A/C went out in the house and it was miserable. But it had to be done - the estate sale. What memories we watched going out the door in the hands of the customers that came to the sale! It was hard. In our cleaning, we came across photo albums of newlyweds - her folks - and babies, and friends, and holidays, and all those things that make a family a family. We had no time to sit and grieve and remember. My cousin fought back the tears and did what she had to do. All we could so was scoop up all those treasures and pack them away for her to go through later on. The loss of her parents was just too recent. I don't know how she did it. We prayed together several times, she and I and a couple of her friends that came to help. What will she do now? How is she going to deal with this tremendous grief?
I am reminded of a song by "4 Him" that I've loved for years, that has strengthened me through several rough times, a song that is based on the Bible teachings of faith and God's love. I'm sure alot of you know it. I haven't heard it played on the radio in quite awhile because it is a little older song. But Saturday, twice, once running an errand for Debra and again when I was driving home from the sale, I heard it. I think the Lord was trying to tell me something. I think He was AGAIN sending His peace from the words of this song through the air waves for me to hear, and to know that He IS the God of all comfort, and that all we have to do is have a little faith in Him.
WHERE THERE IS FAITH
I believe in faithfulness
I believe in giving of
myself for someone else
I believe in peace and love
I believe in honesty
and trust but it’s not enough
For all that I believe may never change the way
it is
Unless I believe Jesus lives
CHORUS
Where there is faith
There is a voice
calling, keep walking
You’re not alone in this world
Where there is
faith
There is a peace like a child sleeping
Hope everlasting in He who is
able to
Bear every burden, to heal every hurt in my heart
It is a
wonderful, powerful place
Where there is faith
There’s a man across the sea
Never heard the sound of freedom
ring
Only in his dreams
There’s a lady dressed in black
In a motorcade
of cadillacs
Daddy’s not coming back
Our hearts begin to fall
And our
stability grows weak
But Jesus meets our needs if only we believe
CHORUS.
I wonder if my cousin knows this song??? Think I'll send it to her. Thank you ALL so much for your prayers, your kind words, and your encouragement. I know she'll be sad for a long time to come, and so will I. I'm glad she's a Christian, and she knows where her strength comes from. So I will not post on this topic anymore. God bless you all for your good and kind hearts.
12 comments:
Maybe she tried to tackle this job too soon. I hope that the memories.
I pray her memories will not be anchors, but treasures.
Margo
I am so glad she had your help...I had to take care of my parents estate by myself and it was a painful ordeal......you were right in packing things up for later....in time, she will cherish all the old photos and memories...I certainly do mine..God bless you all
Everyone is in my prayers...m.
Vickie, God bless you too for being such a caring, thoughtful person. I agree about knowing where the strength comes from. I cannot imagine life without it.
She will probably need your help for a long time to come. There will be all the upcoming holidays and times she'll miss them. I do remember that song - thanks for reminding me of it. God bless you.
It's so hard to sift through a lifetime of memories. Whan my dad passed suddenly, my sister, my mom and quickly went through all his belongings - we found his navy uniform and sailor hats from WW2, the tie he wore when they married and a page of an old calendar where he had scrawled out a message to his mom when he was a boy "gone fishing, mom. Don't worry about me". The only thing we didn't go through was his nightstand. My mother insisted it be left untouched and so it was until 18 years later this summer when my sister and I had to move mother to an assisted living center. V.
Poor things- you all must be exhausted... I hope you're cousin can rest now that this is over with, Vickie... I know she must miss them so much.
That is a beautiful song- it's been a while since I heard it too, but I remember it well.
Im so sorry. I can understand and it hurts so bad. Dad could stand to see moms things and he wanted it done NOW,the same week we buried here. thought I would die.
Now I go back and she isn't there things have changed so much.
god bless you for being by her side .
you are a good person Vickie - and being there is the biggest best gift of love for someone going through a hard time. I have had the task of disposing of relatives belongings and it is just plain hard - honestly easier to do while you are still a bit numb. Bless y'all - time doesn't necessarily heal but it scabs over the painful spots so you can go on - with God's help
Dealing with a death of parents is never easy and my heart goes out to your cousin. I love your words on this. blessings,Kathleen
Vickie, my heart goes out to you and your cousin. That's awfully hard for those left behind but what a joy to go be with the Lord so close together. I can only wish that me and my hubby can go so close together too.
As you know, I've been away from blogland for awhile. It really uplifted me to see the Have Gun Will Travel thermos. Richard Boone is dear to my heart because my husband looks just like him!
Your family is in my prayers.
Love, Berte
Vickie,
What a blow for your family to lose two precious members in the same week, I am so sorry to hear this news. I cannot imagine having the strength and courage to take such immediate action with their belongings. It must have been the strength of Lord that carried you all through.
Thank you for visiting and for your sweet comments. I hope you will be able to return soon to your beloved painting. Your artwork is just amazing and I am sure when you have the last of your children through college that your wonderful farm will provide ample opportunity for some wonderful paintings.
I will be keeping your family in my prayers.
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