A Month Not Soon Forgotten . . .

If you're a faithful friend around here, you'll know that I've been doing alot of musing recently about our long anticipated move to Cape Cod and my Dad's sudden death the following day.  This is grief therapy in action.

And you guys have been so overwhelmingly supportive and kind.  This is true community in action.  Your faithful prayers matter, your words of solace are like great big hugs.  I feel heard.  I feel cared for.

Thank you seems so very insufficient.

Today I'm turning a bit of a corner as I head off to my favorite month-in-review celebrations over at Emily's and Leigh's where we share the odds and ends of what we're into and what we're learning.

Come along with me, will ya'?

*       *       *

i'm referring ...

my counseling clients to other counselors.  A prayer-fueled, difficult decision for me and not all that easy for them, these wonderful women deserve the absolute best I can give, and right now that means an introduction to other people helpers who will walk with them on the next leg of their journey.

i'm celebrating ...

little Tyler's 1st birthday even from afar.  God has been sending some wonderful nurses so that his mommy and daddy can get out to church and get a bit of respite from time to time.  If you haven't met our 7th grandchild, his welcome-to-the-family video is here ... and you'll understand why this is one fabulous milestone.  Heads up - get the Kleenex.

i'm unpacking ...

far too many boxes and trying to figure out what to do with way too much furniture.  Enough already.

i'm appreciating ...

the greeting card industry and those thoughtful friends who take the time to choose the perfect message and send it my way.  The Friday night small group showered us with envelopes stuffed with memories and photographs and the most beautiful sentiments as we took our leave from New York.  And these days, the rusty green mailbox opens to reveal cards that speak a tender peace to my soul.

i'm learning ...

how to make collages with PicMonkey.  I had a really cool one just about designed for this post, but it vanished into thin air.  Really.  Please tell me I'm not the last person on earth to figure this out.

i'm watching ...

lots of my former possessions go to auction this weekend.  I've discovered the startling truth that just 'cause you once collected and cherished an object, doesn't mean you have to keep it forever.


i'm lending ...

grace to myself, giving myself some space to do absolutely nothing at all.  And when that fails, to go lay down and take a mid-afternoon nap.  And not feel a tinge of guilt about it.

i'm chatting ...

with the everyday people in my new neighborhood ... the cashiers, baggers, librarians, the woman sitting next to me at an outdoor concert, the re-sale shop owner, fellow walkers, a few people at church.  Whoever said New Englanders are standoffish hasn't been to this neck of the woods.

i'm stalling ...

on getting my new blog site up and running.  Right about now I need to write more than I need to make myself crazy.  The thought of wading into any kind of technical detail makes my eyes glaze over.


i'm rejoicing ...
because we finally sold our house this week.  No glitches.  An appreciative buyer.  Thank You, Lord!


i'm savoring ...
Psalm 29:11 - 'The Lord gives strength to His people; The Lord blesses His people with peace.'


i'm heading ...
off to the Adirondacks with Tim, the girls, their guys, and the kiddos for a long-ago-planned week at camp.  It's been two years since we took a vacation together.  Restful?  Hardly.  But I just can't wait.

*       *       *

and saying hi to Kelly  .   Holley  .  Lyli