Right now living .... I mean LIVING (not just going through the motions) takes perspective. I think of the post I wrote the night before Karagen died, about the grass being green on both sides of the fence, but on my side (the side without her, the side of loss) the grass is beautiful and green, but shadowed.....dimmer. My greiving words to Jonathan 2 weeks ago: "My life was so perfect, 6 beautiful children....Karagen's life blessing mine, and now she's gone, life will never be perfect again." When I said those words I meant them, but it's been 4 weeks since Karagen died and my grief isn't as raw, my perspective has changed.
I choose what my perspectives will be. I am and forever will be a mother who lost her precious daughter to cancer. Rather than dwelling on that brutal truth, I choose to look at ALL the other blessings in my life. For me good, rock solid, perspective builds a wall of strength with grattitude. My thanks before were heart felt, sincere and honest....but like feathers in weight. My thanks now, laden with gratefulness I can FEEL are like stones, I have to heave and concentrate to give them, to build a wall of thanks.....but this wall is strong, oh so strong. It's foundation is sheer determination and faith to trust the God who gives....and takes away. The God who is GOOD all the time.
I can't help but feel that all my lists of thanks before Karagen's illness and eventual death were different. I meant them, but I still took things for granted. We all do, we can't help it. Most of us are welcomed each day with unumerable comforts and things in life that make our lives easier. From washers and dryers, vehicles, warm beds with pillows, to grocery stores not far away and abundance of food. Most of us in America have everything we need, a roof over our heads, shoes on our feet and food in our bellies. Our families are safe, our children are fairly healthy, we ourselves can get up every day and do our thing all over again. We all take these things for granted..... every day. I enjoy my life and appreciate so much everything I have, but I see it differently now, I feel it differently now. My grattitude was spoken before, today it is felt.
I give thanks today, for renewed perspective.
I am building a wall of faith and trust with grattitude.
The thanks I give this Thanksgiving is different.
This year it's more than Thanksgiving.....it's Thanksmeaning.
I give thanks, and I mean every word!
AMEN!!! I've learned that lesson recently - although not in the same way. It's perspective, getting your self into the right frame of mind, that matters. My thanks for things changes too. I am so thankful for some of the smallest things now. I like your comparison of your thanks before being like 'feathers in weight'. I'm glad you are healing, it takes time and God. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post. Thank you for sharing your heart with me. We continue to hold you all up in our prayers. (((HUGS)))
ReplyDeleteCrystal,
ReplyDeleteYou are such an inspiration and I marvel at your spiritual maturity. Thank you for your example.
I've been wondering how you and your family are managing to "go through the motions" of the enjoyment of Thanksgiving and then, onto Christmas. I wonder how your children are adapting to their own lives without their sweet sister. The thoughts of a child are often so very honest.....and their grief is hinged so closely to you and your husband. How you are......is pretty often, how they are. Your heart thoughts pluck the heart strings of all who read them.....and to hear/see you still moving towards the healing place....is so inspiring to us, who view your heart. You do inspire us. Bless you, my dear, God has given you such a gift. Baring your soul....showing others that is okay to do that.....I think, is a priceless one. May your heavenly Father, envelope each of you in his arms.....lean back and relax while he soothes your spirits....and enjoy each other.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Crystal. So thankful for the peace the Lord is giving you. ~Carla~
ReplyDeleteI read this to my family yesterday morning. Thank you again for sharing your heart. {{hugs}} my friend.
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