shirleyb

My mom and dad. Funny how when we are young we hope we never act like our parents and then as we get older, we find ourselves acting that way. thanks

Denise, I am so sorry for you loss. My dad was my best friend too. It was good the family was with him to see him through his journey. You all did the best you could to help him. Now he is in God's hands. Much love, Shirleyb

I am so sorry. You have my prayers.

Denise, You and your family have my prayers. I am so sorry that you are all going through this process. It is so sad. Peace and comfort, Shirleyb

Beth, You have been in my thoughts and prayers all day today. Take care. I know these last weeks and months have been so hard for you. Much love, Shirleyb

Mandi, I am so sorry for the pain you and your family are in. Your loss is so fresh and all I can say is it will take time for the pain to ease. With your sister due to have her child soon, maybe put some energy into creating a book for her baby that features your mother and who she was and what she meant to all of you. This is something that you all can work on. I am sure your father is lost. I know most of us are when we lose our spouses. I know my kids were lost too when they lost their father. Time is the only thing I know that is certain to help. Give yourself permission to grieve. Lean on the rest of us here to help you durning this time. We do understand. Praying for us all. Shirley

Isn't it the truth. Thanks Shelly

Amen

Holly, I am so glad you did this. I know it helps sometimes to put what we are feeling down on paper and share it with those we love. They then have this reminder to read again and again of our love for them. Prayers for you and your family. Shirley

(((Fay))) I hope you are feeling better soon. Sure miss seeing your words of wisdom here. You have my prayers. Shirley

Larry, Thank you for sharing this with us. Shirleyb

TAnn, Sorry to read about your bad news. Not a fun way to start the new year out. I hope you are able to find some help with all the advise others have given. You are in my prayers. Shirley

Yes Cindi, he cooks, does dishes, does the laundry, changes oil in the car, gives me his check book.... Heck, he even babysits the grandbaby and goes grocery shopping for me. He is the best thing that has happened to me and I have been very blessed by his love. My kids at first had a hard time with me having another man in my life, but they have seen how happy I am with him and how he treats me (like a queen)and how he talks to me. I am the one on the pedestal in Mikes eyes. And like Ann, no date has been set. When we decide, I will make sure you know so the pub can be opened.

Shelly, You are the best. I am so glad you are doing this as I really look forward to seeing you around. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Shirleyb

I am so glad for both of you. To be home in your own bed is some of the best medicine around and then to have your loved ones there with you is even better. Way to go Joannie!!!!

Now that Ann has shared her wonderful news, I need to chime in here too. I also got engaged over the holidays to my sweetheart. Mike and I were high school sweethearts, went our seperate ways and then met up again a while back. One of those episodes from the Maury show. Thanks for posting your news Ann, it gave me my in to post mine...

Ann, I am so happy for you. This is really good to hear. I know what you mean too about sharing this kind of news because Mike and I got engaged over the holidays too.... . What can I say.....life does go on and I am very happy for you and for me. Congratulations!!! Shirleyb

Troy, I am so sorry for the loss you have suffered. Your wonderful mother is in a better place. But she will always be in your heart. Praying for us all. shirley

(((Pat))) There is nothing but profound sadness in hearing that Brian has crossed over. I know your heart is breaking. I just remember the story my dad told me....about what heaven was like. Brian is there now. Come back when you can. Love to you and your family. Shirleyb

((((Beth))))) I am so sorry.

Beth, I still remember doing the same things you are doing when Randy died. I just felt like the nightmare would never end. I wanted so bad to wake up for the dream and realize it was a dream but alast, it was not. It took a while for me to not cry when someone would mention his name. It took time for me to be able to really laugh again. It took time to ease my heartache that just never seemed to want to end. It took time. It has taken time to begin to feel like I was living again. Bill will always be in your heart. You will always have memories of him. You will see things years from now and think, oh Bill would have liked that, or Bill did it the same way. He will always be with you. One thing I did after Randy died, was I took all his shirts and made quilts for the kids from them. It took time, it brought back memories of how did he get that stain on this shirt, and that brought back sweet smiles. It kept me busy. I know I did not want to be out with friends yet then and by doing little things around the house, I kept busy. It takes time hon. Everyone that goes down this path does it at their own pace. Your grieving will take its own path too and you will heal in your own time. But it will take time. You will have good days and you will have bad days. But the good days will become more common than the bad and your pain will ease. It will always be there, but it will ease. Be good to yourself. Your kids need you still and you need them. They too will grieve in their own way. Just know it is normal and you are doing as good as you can. May you feel the love and warm hugs being sent your way. Shirleyb

Carleen, I totally understand where you are at with you fear, your pain, your uncertainty. How will you go on? You will put one foot in front of the other and keep on going on. Live today for today and let tomorrow take care of itself. It really SUCKS what hand has been dealt to you. But play it the best you can. Keith knows you well enough to know what you are feeling. Trying to hide that from him will not work. It just adds another bearer to you being totally honest with each other. If you are this scared, he is too. I can only imagine what he is feeling and going through. I know when Randy was so sick, the only way he seemed to continue on was knowing and believing that there would be a miracle. And I believed that right next to him every step of the way. Do not lose faith. Keep hoping. You and Keith are both in my prayers. Cherish the time you have now. Do not look to tomorrow but cherish today. Praying for us all. Shirleyb

Larry, It is good to see you here again. I am so sorry your wife is having so many isssues right now. Hopefully you will be able to get her some help with the back pain soon and she will be resting easier. Take care, Shirleyb

Maryann, I am sorry you are going through this with your husband. Not alot you can do to help someone when they won't help themselves. From what you have written your husband is not only addicted to cigarettes and alcohol, but to pain meds too. Scary place to be. Drug addicition, be it smokes, drink, or drugs is an ugly thing. I hope you decide to get help for yourself first and foremost. My heart goes out to you at this time. Maybe a 2 x 4 upside his head will help him to wake up to his actions and how destructive his actions are. Under all the problems he has, he must have some good qualities otherwise you would not still be there for him. Best of luck in all that you do. Shirleyb

Janet, I am so sorry. Words cannot ease the pain you are in, just know you are in my prayers. Ron was a very special soul and will be missed by many. Praying for us all. Shirleyb