I Love My Life

We have all been touched with the sudden illness or passing of a loved one. I have written much about the journey that my wife (and our family) went through, and I will continue to write about that journey for some time. However, many of my friends have asked how we are doing as a family. I am very touched and thankful for those family and friends that continue to check in and give encouragement. I appreciate people asking how I am doing, because while it’s been 17 months since Lyn’s passing, the journey continues. The grief will always be there because we miss Lyn.

However, grief is also a beautiful thing because it reminds us that we have lost something truly priceless. In my grief, I have been able to turn sadness to a smile or laugh as we recall or even revive stories, and special memories.

Today marks one of those special memories. Today would have been my 31^st anniversary with Lyn, and I can say with certainty that I am much better physically and emotionally this November morning, than last year. Simply put, November 18, 2019 was a painful day. I am thankful for the peace that God has brought to me. It is amazing how time has brought healing. However, healing does not simply happen, I have had to work at paying attention to my life, and work on selfcare. Writing this blog is one of those selfcare items. This is blog post #32, and it has given me much joy to write about the journey. Therefore, this anniversary is more of a day of joy as I recall the good memories that God gave to us as a couple, and as a family.

I know those that are reading this can relate, because we have all lost loved ones, and we might feel sad or depressed one minute, but in the next, we have a smile, a chuckle, and a hearty laugh with family about the one that left us. This has been my experience over the past 17 months, and it’s beautiful and healthy because you cannot avoid grief—you must cut right through it.

For those of us on this side of sunshine, we think about our loved ones that left us, but that will never leave our minds and hearts. Today, I celebrate a marriage that happened 31 years ago. But I also celebrate the life that happened after that special day and continues to happen. The wedding is just one day. Albeit, it is a very important day, but I can say that there were so many wonderful days after the wedding day, such as the birth of my children, and family memories. I continue to build new memories.

As I write, I have a smile on my face, and joy in my heart because I am continuing to live, love, and enjoy life—just as Lyn wanted me (and our family) to do. Friends, thank you for playing such a special role in my life as I continue to journey forward. You are an important part of my life, and my healing. I thank God for you all.

Although times are tough on a worldwide scale, as we enter this time of Thanksgiving, there is so much we can be thankful for as we reflect. Today, perhaps think about giving thanks for someone. Better yet, consider reaching out to that person and let them know how thankful you are for them. Trust me, just as many have reached out to me over the past few years, and have impacted me, you can have that impact upon someone today that might be going through rough times.

I am in a good place in life because many of you have taken the time to lift me up! I am in a beautiful place where I can see possibilities, I am planning major future events, and I am truly enjoying life. Of course, I miss Lyn, but I am exactly where I need to be, and I am happy. I love my life!

Take care friends, and happy Thanksgiving!