Grief and Depression Come in Waves

In the three weeks since Dad died, I have been schooled in grief and the depression that is its Siamese twin.  Grief comes in waves.  I can think I am okay, and in the next moment, I have burst into tears and want to retreat to my bed.  Like this morning....I was washing dishes, looking at the cars backed up outside my window.  Suddenly, I burst into tears with the overpowering feeling of missing Dad.  He was a huge part of my life, all my life.  Certainly, in the last three years since I brought him to my home on June 6, 2019, he was my whole life.  So, here I sit chronicling a vignette about the waves of grief.  It is a way of remembering Dad, a way of honoring him.   #grief   #mourning  #dad

Happy Thanksgiving

Today as we celebrate Thanksgiving I am ticking off the things I am thankful for.....and it is quite a long list.  This has been both a year filled with blessings and trials, but I will focus on the blessings.  

Happy Birthday!

Today my dad is 83 years young!  Happy Birthday, Dad!

Happy 16th Birthday, Matthew

Today is my son's 16th birthday.  We celebrated with my parents in a nearby town on Saturday.  He wanted a red velvet cake from Publix.  Today he has requested Lowcountry Boil, which is a combination of shrimp, sausage, corn on the cob, and new potatoes boiled in Old Bay Seasoning. 

16th Birthday Present

This weekend we are celebrating Matthew's 16th birthday, which is Sunday the 16th.  He chose for his present this year to go to a Tim McGraw concert last night.  I had not been to a concert since college, and we had a great time.  The seats were fantastic and we were entertained by 4:  Love and Theft, Lady Antebellum, Tim McGraw, and a special surprise when Darius Rucker went on stage to sing one song with Tim. 

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Today is my father's 82nd birthday.  He was raised on a farm in rural South Carolina in 1927.  When he was 17 he went into the Navy and several years later transferred to the Air Force.  He retired in 1967 and later worked civil service at the Charleston Naval Shipyard and later in Savannah, Georgia, until he retired for good in December, 1993.  He has spent the last 16 years taking care of my mother and being a father to my son Matthew.  We love you, Dad!!!!!!!!

Matthew's Monday

Eventually I will make him have it trimmed.  I just remember the battle my parents had with my brother Dennis over his hair.

Matthew's Monday

At my parents' house Matthew has 3 rooms, a suite if you will.  He has his bedroom, a bathroom, and a TV room, complete with recliner.  These rooms are not all connected, but he has "his" end of the hallway.  It is a major production when he packs because one suitcase is strictly for his gaming systems and all the associated paraphenalia.

Matthew's Monday

Matthew driving home from his grandparents' house Saturday

Matthew's Monday

Loving Snowflake~~~~~~~~~~~~ Blowing on her tummy~~~~~~~~~~~~

Doing the dreaded homework`~~

Matthew's Monday

Matthew and my dad---

Matthew's Monday

Ok, so the son is jealous because of all my cat blogging, so I am giving Mondays to him. Here is what he does best:

Happy Birthday, Mother

Today is my mother's 79th birthday. She is the bionic woman; she has two bionic hips and one bionic shoulder. She was raised on a poor dirt farm (as she says) with two sisters and two brothers. She married my father two weeks before her 18th birthday. She said that before her brother took them to the parsonage to get married, she kicked off her shoes and told them she'd never need them again. (She was sick of the farm and farm work.)

Father's Day

The top picture is of my brother Dennis and Matthew. The others are of Matthew and Mother and Dad.

60th Anniversary Picture

My parents for their 60th anniversary picture

Happy Anniversary!

Today is my parents' 60th wedding anniversary. We are headed over later this morning to help them celebrate. If I can find my misplaced camera, I will add pictures later.

He's growing up

I am not at all comfortable with this new stage of life.

Surprise, Surprise!

I almost fainted last weekend when my soon-to-be fifteen year-old not only washed his clothes, but did more than pile them on his bed. He actually neatly folded them in piles. I told him I had to take a picture.

My Birthday Cake

When I told my mother last week I wanted a birthday cake, this is what she bought me: German chocolate. I don't care as long as it's chocolate. She had cooked a roast with the trimmings. It was a very nice birthday lunch. I am just so thankful to still have my parents in good health.

It's My Birthday

Today is my birthday~~the 46th to be exact. Last week my mother asked if I wanted a birthday cake; I said, "of course!" We will be driving over to see my parents about an hour away. I will also have my first haircut in about 18 months~~since before I knew I had cancer. I lost a lot of it during chemo. Although chemo ended last January 23 (Yes, I will never forget that day), my hair didn't start growing back in earnest until this past October. I have never changed stylists even though I moved. I used to get it cut, highlighted, and styled with a blow-dry for $60. I'm told that is unheard of around here. The most important thing of the day, though, is sharing the plan of salvation with my parents. It has burdened my mind for so long because I feel so inadequate. My father will be easier than my mother, I think. He has been a part of a bible study for many years. My mother is very proud and thinks she is so "good". Those of you who are believers, please pray for us this day.