Well, we’re still enjoying the sights and sounds of the big city! Plans were to leave today for home. However, when we got up and thought about heading home, neither of us was ready to go. We decided that since we were big girls now, if we wanted to stay another day…we could…and we would. And, we did! We sat and talked for a while,shared our treasures found shopping, and made our plans for the day. I told Joy that I was going to lay down for juuuust a few minutes, and then we would get ready…..I woke up about 2 hours later!!! Obviously, I needed the rest.

We have had the best time together. No one else can know me like my sister knows me. We grew up together, shared home and parents, and pets, and secrets, and plans. We have also shared the ‘goods’ and the ‘bads’ in our lives since we have had families of our own. Neither of us would ever deny the other anything…and just one word will send us running to the other’s side. Isn’t that the definition of ‘sister’?

It has been a hard summer for both of us…and again for most of the same reasons. First Mom died, and, I was so sick, leaving Joy to do the majority of the things that had to get done.The boys have had surgery, and Adam has met with such unfortunate problems with his. Then this awful mess with our church. So, it has been such a refreshing for us to be able to talk with each other, knowing we feel the same way about things. With no distractions (well, if you don’t count the amazing shopping all around) we have been able to do just what we need to do to refresh our souls.

We have spoken of Mom so often this week. “Remember when we did this?” Or, “remember that time we went here?” And, “Mom loved to shop here.” Or, “Mom would have loved this so much.” We missed her being with us…and we have felt her presence with us all the week. We both feel blessed that we have had this time for us to remember her, and how much she meant to us. We feel her absence so greatly…but, she would have loved nothing better than to think we were having our own little ‘honoring Mom’ getaway. And, so we will drive home tomorrow, having said all the things about her that we couldn’t say to anyone else. Things that only the other would understand. Because that’s the way it is with sisters.

The remembering won’t stop…I imagine it will go on until I am able to hug her and kiss her soft cheek again. I hope that is the way it is…because it is a sweet memory anytime she crosses my mind.

We will be having a family gathering on Saturday night. Several years ago, we started coming together to celebrate the summer birthdays all at one time…we have 8! This will be the first time since she died that we have been all together. Oh, I think it will be hard…for she had a presence that would fill the room. We will be at my house…and the last time we gathered as a family was around our pool on July 4…she died on the July 13.

It feels as if we have lived a year since then. Life changing events are not always able to be planned and prepared for…but by the Master Designer. He has chosen to change the family that we were, into a different one. But, still strong, still together, still loving….even if it’s from afar for our Mother.

Quite a good picture of Joy and I , don’t ya think?
We have decided that we need to ‘get outta Dodge’ for a few days. Time to see new things, meet new people, see what’s in the stores for fall! So. we’ve packed our Vera Bradley…


made our reservations…
written out our to do list…
packed the necessities…

And, we’re off!
PS. Should you need us while we’re gone, look for this…

Look at this man for a minute…what’s he thinking…how’s he feeling?

“OH.MY. WORD. Can you believe the flowers in this field? They go on and on and on! And, I have to paint them all? How will I ever get this done? I will have to paint all day and all night and all day and all night. Forget sleep! Do I even have enough yellow paint? Oh, My! “

The word that comes to my mind is ‘OVERWHELMED’.

Have you ever felt vaguely like he must feel? I have. Why do we do that to ourselves? Why do we take on such big jobs that require super human strength to accomplish…and then feel guilty when it is not finished to perfection? Why do we take job after job after job and then complain that we don’t have time to complete them all? And, we even have our children doing it…sports, music, plays, church activities, and , oh, yeah, homework!!!

The word that comes to my mind is ‘OVERWHELMED’.

If it would be foolish to try to paint all those flowers…then it’s just as foolish to put ourselves through all the drama we do when we try to ‘do it all’.

So, when you are tempted to add just one more thing to your already busy schedule…stop and think just how much yellow paint you will need!!!!!!!

I have had several friends contact me to see what was going on that would take me away from my blog for so many days. So, I will offer a short explanation.

1. I have been very sick…physically.

2. My Mother went to live with Jesus.

3. My son had eye surgery.

4. Another son had eye surgery and then 3 emergency surgeries on his eyes due to another problem that could have cost his sight. He has his next operation on Wednesday.

5. Another son changed jobs and homes in another city, and I was not well enough to go and help him.

6. My DIL is undergoing some medical procedures.

7. My church split and we lost all the staff, the choir, most of the deacons, and 100 members. Those who left are some of the dearest people in the world to me. It is another death. And, I am shocked and sad and angry.

8. The school where I worked for 20 years, started back last week, and I miss them.

9. Joy has had to help Pop deal with things at his house, because I have not been well enough to get out. I feel guilty about this. I should be helping.

10. Alex is in quite a bit of pain…and nothing is helping.

11. The ants are back…with a vengence!

12. I miss my Mom.

I am trying to get all of this sorted out and dealt with, but it just keeps raining…and raining.
As low as I am at this point, this I know: God is in control of the Universe, of America, of Alabama, of Dothan, of Southside, of my family, of me. He is able to direct us all into the life that He has for us. He is able to bind our wounds and heal our hurts. He is able to grow much from nothing…and He is able to right wrongs. He is able to restore what has been broken. He cares that I am sad and hurt and angry and floundering. He promises me that all will be well. And, I believe that with my whole heart. It will happen. And, until it does, I will wait and watch. And, maybe cry a bit. That’s the reason He made tears, isn’t it? He says to ‘wait on Him’. That I will do.

“God will let you laugh again; you will raise the roof with sounds of joy.”
Job 8:21

And, I will. That’s a promise…from Him…and me!

There’s nothing wrong. I try to take things one day at a time…but lately, several days have attacked me at once. As soon as I attend to them, and put them in their place…I’ll be back.
Just a day or two. Thanks, friends!