Sunshine Therapy

I recently flew to California.  My sister Becky lives east of Oakland.  Every fall her and her husband take a business trip.  For many years I have gone down there and stayed with their kids while they were gone.  Some years Les would go with me, but mostly I went by myself.  Last year I didn't go at all.  Now just niece Jenae lives at home (the two boys live in San Luis Obispo) and Jenae said I could come and stay with her.  The timing was perfect!!

Becky and Darrell were home the first several days I was there.  Their two boys were also home for that weekend. I was surprised to find out that on Sunday we were going to the 49'rs football game!  At first I wasn't very excited because sometimes crowds can overwhelm me a bit, but I decided I would go and I'm SO GLAD I did - we had so much fun!  (even tho it was the 49'rs.......)   I had a relaxing time on my trip; I got to sit in the sun most days.  Watched Jenae play volleyball AND soccer.  It was good to be away.

Go Hawks!!!

Not a bad view from their patio!

My mom had ankle replacement surgery the week I got home from California.  My Iowa sister Sharon came for another week to stay at mom and dad's and care for mom.  It was so nice to have her here for another week!!!  My brother Don came for a couple days after Sharon left, and now mom is doing very well - her and dad are managing quite nicely.  My mom is a trooper! 

I was alot of help!!!

Last week I was invited to a UPS thing - some of Les' friends had a small get together.  I was not sure if I wanted to go......but again, I did, and we had such a great evening.  Thanks Rick & Paula for hosting!!!

 Many of you ask how I am doing.  I am doing okay - I've got to get out of bed in the morning, ya know?  I actually have days that I go to bed and say, This was a good day!  I have also realized that for me this has been a choice.  Often I feel like just curling up in bed, but I don't.  I try to stay busy - which hasn't been too hard!  I've got work to catch up on; tons of paperwork to deal with (ugh) and two grandbabies to have fun with.  I have lots of house projects to do - that kind of stuff didn't get any attention the past few years.  But those projects are also the kinds of things that overwhelm me; I guess I will pick away at it as I feel up to it

It's still just one day at a time for me.  I never know when the grief will sneak up on me and hit me a good one.  Like when I was at my sister's and I went to my room at night, picked up my phone to call Les to talk about our days..............  I am still choosing JOY - joy that I have good days, joy that I have good friends to hang out with, joy for family that is close by.  Joy for the good memories.  This was in my Jesus Calling: "the Joy of the Lord is my strength.  I, the God of hope, fill you with all Joy and Peace as you trust in Me, so that you may bubble over with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."  AMEN