Spinning Out of Control

Warning!  You may want to take a Dramamine before viewing this important video that goes along with today's post.  This is my youngest son, Micah, age five, enjoying himself very, very much!

I love this boy.  He is so full of life and energy and energy and energy!  This video was one of the six times he did this one time right after the next  He was having so much fun.  It was on his last time, that he said while spinning, "mom, what happens if you puke when you are swinging?"  Thankfully we didn't have to find out.  I could never do 

Those of us who have experienced deep loss, probably know very well that feeling of spinning out of control, sometimes things speed up, then slow down only to speed up again.   It is in many ways similar I imagine to Micah having wound him self up so tightly that his feet were barely touching the ground. And if we lift our feet off the ground for a split second the spinning begins and we are never sure if we will survive the spinning, we are never sure if it will stop, we are never sure if our feet will every be on solid ground again. And honestly it can leave us literally feeling dizzy and nauseated at times.  

And sometimes we face difficulties in life unrelated to the death of a loved one that can leave us feeling as if our lives are spinning out of control.  You see, Satan loves to hit us hard, and keep us spinning.  He is out to destroy us.  Period.  Oh, and believe me, he knows every trick in the book to create in us doubt, fear, anger, frustration, low self esteem, hatred, envy, pride, and the list goes on.  

You see, I was standing close by to Micah.  If the spinning became too much for him, I was right there to stop the swing from spinning.  And, just as I was there for Micah, we have a Heavenly Father who is standing close by us.  He is ready to help steady us, and hold us safe and secure.  Micah trusted with the faith of a child that Momma would be there for him.  And you and I must practice that child-like faith trusting that Jesus is there for us.  Jesus Himself was tempted by Satan.  You can read about it in Matthew 4.  He knows what it is like.  Who better to stand by us in times of trouble?  Just hold on to the rope - Jesus is on the other end!  

Always keep expecting to see the 

Sunshine After the Storm
Blessings!
Betsy

Put Down Your Umbrella!

Being under a severe weather warning can be pretty scary.  Growing up, we were fortunate to have a basement we could go to when the weather got nasty. It brought us enough comfort to wait until the storm passed over and we could go back upstairs. 

Many times after a severe storm passes, we are left with a good steady rain. What are the benefits of rain?  Here are some answers you may not have thought of that I found on Answers.com

What 15 benefits does rain provide?

Answer:
1) It puts moisture in the air
2) It helps with droughts
3) It fills streams
4) It washes away dirt from plants
5) It provides a drink for every living thing
6) It cools the temperature if it's hot
7) It washes cars for free
8) It continues with the beneficial water cycle
9) It aids the poor in collecting water
10) It saves money from buying bottled water
11) It can cause a rainbow to show up
12) It cleans roads with oil marks
13) It assists worms to move around the soil which aerates the ground
14) It can erode soil to form mountains
15) It can make certain insects and animals come out of hiding, like a snail which provides food for birds

If we are living and breathing, we are going to be hit by storms in our life that make us feel as if we are in the middle of a hurricane or tornado for quite some time.  But after time, and how much time just depends on each individual and the circumstances surrounding their loss, we begin to experience a steady rain that can provide us with many emotional benefits.

It begins to wash away much of the dirt that has collected in our mind and soul during the storm.  It begins to cool, take the severe sting out of our hurt. Oh that hurt will always be there, but that rain cools it to a bearable temperature.  It helps aerates our heart, and puts moisture in our soul so we can begin feeling alive again.  Over time, it erodes our the walls of protection we have built up to make us stand tall again, like a mountain, and it helps us to come out of hiding and provide food, aka, support for others who are struggling with a storm of their own.  

I would encourage myself and you, to welcome the rain that comes after the storm.  Allow it to do its work in us to bring us to greater heights so that we can see the rainbow that often comes with it!  Put down the umbrella and let the rain soak in and cleanse!  

Remember my traveling companion, keep looking for the 

Sunshine After the Storm

Blessings!

Betsy

The MRS and MMS Syndromes

Those of you have been following my blog know that I am a mom with six children still at home.  The oldest just turned 12, then I have one almost 11, one 9, two 8, and one 5.

I love my children, but honestly, they have a problem.  They suffer from MRS aka Messy Room Syndrome.  I have tried every approach, every trick in the book, to try to get them to keep their rooms at least half way clean.  They may have inherited this from me since Itoo suffered from this childhood illness.

Each bedroom has a laundry basket to make things much easier, right? Wrong. For some reason, as close and as handy as the laundry basket is, they still just drop their dirty clothes where they take them off.  

Each room has a place for everything which makes putting things away easier, right?  Wrong.  For some reason, it is so much easier to leave things where they were last used or to shove them under the bed only to have to literally dig them out later.  

Two of the rooms have a desk for studying at, right?  Wrong.  They are used for the piling on of the strangest assortment of "prized possessions."  If a chair was not underneath it, one would not know there was a desk there.  It would just look like stuff suspended in mid air.  Oh, and I won't even talk about the collection under the desk.   

Now, here is what is interesting.  When my children get a dose of medicine for their MRS, and they are able to effectively clean their rooms, they suddenly enjoy spending more time in them, they are more comfortable in them, and they can actually do homework or art projects at their desk!  Imagine that!  Of course that dose of medicine sadly wears off all too soon. I am going somewhere with this, I am not just venting (smiling).

As an adult, and one who has suffered a tremendous loss, I find that I suffer from MMS aka Messy Mind Syndrome.  I imagine that everyone who has lost a loved one suffers from this as well.  During the first two and half years after the death of my son, my MMS was very bad.  It is much better now, but there are days when it flares up on me.

Before my son's death, for the most part, my mind was like a well organized filing cabinet.  There was a folder for important information that I could pull out and use when I needed it, then file it away.  There was a file folder for my usually awesome decision making ability that I could go to and take out whenever I needed it, use it, then file it back.  There was a file folder where I kept my emotions, I could pull out the appropriate emotion I needed, use it, then file it back. There was a folder for focusing that I could access when I needed it, use it, then file it back.  You get the idea.  

After my sons death it was as if someone had gone into the well organized filing cabinet of my mind, opened every draw and decided to remove all my important folders and just throw them in the middle of my mind and then to make things worse, they stirred them with a big stick and then turned on a fan to make sure everything really got swirled around in there.  Just talking about it has made me feel anxious.

If you suffer from MMS there is good news.  There are a few "medications" that can go along way in helping you.  One is acceptance.  Accept that you have it and that it is perfectly normal considering what you have been through. Another is time.  MMS does improve over time.  Another is patience. Be patient with yourself, you have suffered a terrible loss, allow yourself to grieve as long as you need to.  Another is prayer.  I really believe with all my heart in the power of prayer.  Allow others to be prayer warriors for you during this difficult time.  And last, but not least is faith.  For me, my faith in God and in His love for me is what has sustained me and will continue to sustain me.  

Just like my kids enjoy their uncluttered and clean room, you and I will once again enjoy the peace of an uncluttered mind.  Just like my my kids' rooms get cluttered up again, your mind will too, it happens.  But when we know what "medication(s)" we need, we will manage our MMS much better.

Hang in there my friend and don't stop looking for the 

Sunshine After the Storm
Blessings!
Betsy

                           Keep Looking!  It's There!

Get Your Smile On!

How blessed were you who knew my son, George.  And for those of you who did not know him, I wish you could have spent a day or two with him.  Last night one of his best friends posted something George had written, I suppose his senior year in high school that was published I believe in the school paper. All of the departing senior football players were writing to their fellow players, bequeathing different thoughts to each of them.  

As typical of George's personality and style it was funny, sweet, honest, full of inside jokes.  And just SO George.  And I think that if he had known he was going to die just 11 years later and was writing to them right before his death, he would have left them with the same thoughts, and laughter. But having matured in his faith, he would have also left them with the importance of having a personal relationship with the Lord - not just the lip service kind.

And isn't it interesting how our loved ones who have passed on continue to speak to us in so many different ways?  We need to embrace that and look at it as a positive thing.  They have many things to teach us.  In George's case, last night, I was reminded of the importance of fun and laughter in our every day life.  And I was reminded of his own laugh.  Oh mercy, when his funny bone got tickled, and he started laughing, the rest of us in the room totally lost it.  His laugh was SO infectious.  

Take time today to do something fun, something that puts a smile on your lips and a song in your heart!  God is good!  Keep looking for that promised

Sunshine After the Storm

Blessings Friend!!!
Betsy

My Pink Fluffy Robe

Just a few days ago, I was blessed to be able to visit with an "old" friend. We had not seen each other in about 25 years.  It was as if those 25 years never happened.  It was a comfortable and enjoyable visit.  

Much has happened in each of our lives in the past 25 years.  And there was a genuine comfort in sharing.  I have a pink fluffy well worn robe that I love to wear even in the summer months.  It's definitely not Victoria Secret material, but I put that on and my stress level goes down, down, down.  The visit with my friend was like putting on my pink, well worn robe.  

And we found that even though we have aged in years, we have remained in our hearts young, even after all that each of us have been through.  

Take some time to get together with an "old" friend - it will do your heart good! 

Have a wonderful day!

And keep your chin up so you won't miss the 

Sunshine After the Storm

Blessings!

Betsy

Stuck in the Snow

 

Have you ever been stuck in snow or mud?  I have been a few times. My daddy taught his girls to get out of the snow by just gently rocking the car forward and backward just ever so much until you made a spot big enough to get enough traction to get out. Then just keep moving steadily, slowly forward. The worst possible thing we can do when stuck in the mud or snow is to give it the gas like we are peeling out for a race!  If we try that technique our tires are going to spin and we are going to dig hole that we are REALLY going to have a hard time getting out of. 

What is the problem with my daddy's technique?  Well, it requires patience. That is something most of us don't have a lot of.  In today's world, we have been conditioned to thinking everything should happen instantly.  We've got instant oatmeal, we've got instant pudding, we've got prepackaged salad mixes, we've got microwave popcorn and I admit that sometimes that 1:30 minutes in the microwave is just too long!  With smartphones we don't even have to dial a telephone number.  We push a button and tell Siri to do it.  We don't even have to look it up!  Amazing.  I have to say that Siri doesn't understand the Southeast Missouri twang too well.... I've got to watch her like a hawk!

There are some things where instant is good.  But there are some things that are just better given more time.  A homemade soup that is allowed to simmer on the stove for several hours, cookies made from scratch warm out of the oven, a fine wine, and a good cheese.  And a real face to face visit with a friend vs. texting back and forth.

Grief is one of those things that you can't just "peel out" of.  It takes that patient, gentle rocking back and forth to get the best results.  Oh, we can try the "peel out" method.  But usually that ends up being more harmful to us to in the long run. It may be jumping into another relationship that we are not ready for at all. It may involve becoming engrossed in our work, drinking, drugs, all done in an effort to avoid the pain that comes with a loss.  We may feel like these things are a quick fix to our pain.  They aren't - they just prolong the inevitable - at some point we are going to have to deal with the grief of our loss and possibly even more loss as a result of taking the speeding approach because we have dug a deeper hole for ourselves.

However, when we can be patient and let the feelings of grief come and go, and deal with them as they come and go, and allow ourselves to feel all the different emotions we will be better off in the long run.  We have to be willing to have days when we rock forward and days when we rock back, simply because that is the way grief works.  We can't fight it!  Blessed are those who are grieving who have friends who understand the process.  And honestly, if we have people around us who are pushing too hard for us "get over it and move on," it may be necessary to step away from those people for a time. They simply don't get it.  

But more blessed is the one who has a personal relationship with Jesus.  He understands loss and sorrow better than anyone ever will.  And He helps carry the burden and pain.  He gives strength when we think we have none left.  He takes us by the hand and walks with us.  And if we allow Him, he will hold us and rock us back and forth in His strong, loving arms.  He knows first hand what it is like to walk a long and very painful road..  He walked that road for you and me.  

I hope you will let Him hold you close today and rock you back and forth.  You will make more progress on your journey of grief.  You will be able to move forward with confidence knowing that He is walking with You.  

It's raining here this morning, and maybe it is raining in your heart.  But you hang in there!  You will see, there is

Sunshine After the Storm

Blessings Friend!

Betsy

Do you really want to be here?  

Phantom Pain

I've been missing my son, George, more than usual the past few days.  I'm not quite sure why.  Maybe it's because it's high school football season and he should be out there coaching.  Maybe it's because I could just really use one of his gigantic, warm, hugs.  Maybe I just need to hear his infectious laughter. Maybe it's simply because he literally is a part of me.  

I carried him in my womb, he is literally my flesh and blood.  It is as if a very real part of my heart was cut away, and is gone, and a gaping, aching hole is left. Truly a part of me is missing.  

It reminds me somewhat of what amputees go through when they lose a limb. Even though the limb is gone, many amputees experience what is referred to as phantom pain, sometimes months, years, or even decades after the limb has been removed.  

I really don't expect that a parent ever gets over the loss of a child.  But I know now that I can expect to have days like today from time to time.  And I allow myself to have them, experience them, feel them.  It's okay.  

And sometimes I have these days because I have friends who have lost a child and I know so well the pain they feel, or they are struggling with the prospect of losing a child they love so dearly.  I have such empathy for them, yet there is nothing apart from prayer that I can say or do to make it all better for them. Oh, how I wish I could!  

There will be good days and there will be bad days on this journey of grief. Hang in there my traveling companion.....  I can say, there is 

Sunshine After the Storm
Blessings!
Betsy

More on Life!

In my last post I shared the importance of not wasting the one life that has been given us.  I also shared that using our gifts and talents to help others along in their life journey is a good way to start living our life.

There are so many occupations where so much time and energy are devoted to and focused on helping others.  Teaching is one of those.  We've all benefited from teachers who have left a positive influence on our lives.  My favorite teacher of all time was my fifth and sixth grade teacher, John Hennessy.  The impact he had on me was indescribable.  I will always be thankful for Mr. Hennessy. God Bless our teachers.

Then I think of nurses.  I could not be a nurse, but I sure admire the profession.   Just as in all professions you will run across some good ones and some not so good ones.  But for the most part my experience with nurses has been a positive one.  They hold hands, give meds, clean up our messes, keep charts up to date, serve as a liaison between patient and doctor and the list goes on.  God bless our nurses.

And the list goes on, doctors, bus drivers, janitors, counselors, researchers, pastors, secretaries, military men and women, and so many other professions. Sometimes the work others do is not seen directly by us but affects us nonetheless. 

And of course, last but not least, parents.  I was blessed with wonderful Christian parents who raised me with love, patience, firmness, and understanding.  Although my daddy has passed on to his Heavenly home, I am still blessed with the presence of my mom and step-dad.  

Now, let me just say, that in almost every profession, we run the risk of not taking time for ourselves.  Being a mom with six children at home, and several of them with special needs there is very little time left over for myself.   I am coming to realize the importance of taking some time to recharge and refresh myself.  When I am recharged and refreshed, I am going to be more effective at what I do. 

So, what does this have to do with grief?  A lot!  In the midst of deep grief it is important to realize that it is okay and necessary to stop long enough to do something kind for ourselves. Even when we just feel like we don't have the energy, if we go ahead and take that time for ourselves we will find ourselves feeling more relaxed and more positive.  It could mean going down to your favorite coffee shop and actually sitting down, perhaps with a good book and reading a chapter or two.  Maybe it's taking a long bubble bath, taking a hike at a nearby park, riding your bike around the block.  You know the things you enjoy.  And if none of those sound like fun, try something new!  I'm wanting to learn to ride horses!  (Smiling)  And I'm still waiting for my ship to come in so I can buy that Harley!  (True!)

Remember, we only get one shot at this - let's make the most of it!  I am so blessed to have you on this journey with me.  I always welcome your comments.  Don't forget to share this post with others who need encouragement on their journey!  Also, don't forget that you can go to the Facebook page for "Grieving the Loss, Sunshine After the Storm."  Just click on the "Like" tab and updates will be posted to your timeline.  

Never stop looking for the 

Sunshine After the Storm

Blessings Friends!

Betsy

  

A Life Is a Terrible Thing To Waste

"A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste" was the campaign slogan used by the United Negro College Fund in 1972, and they continue to use it today.  I remember seeing the ads on television and perhaps you do too. Maybe the ads still run today, but I don't get time to watch a lot of television with six minions running around!  

I think that not only is a mind a terrible thing to waste, but so is a life. We are given one chance, here on this earth, to live out our life.  Sadly many of us drag our feet thinking that we can "get around to it tomorrow."  Others just never seem to get out of the starting gate.  But you who have experienced loss, know that we are not guaranteed tomorrow.  

And I'm not talking about partying through life, just living for the moment. I'm talking about being the best that we can be and making a difference in the lives of other people.  We each have so much untapped potential.  God created each of us with special talents and abilities for a reason.  I don't think He wants us to sit around twiddling our thumbs, waiting for life to happen to us.  He wants us to go out and make it happen for us.  

This journey of grief that I have been on has changed and is changing how I think about a lot of things.  And the journey you are on is more than likely going to change how you think about things.  You and I are facing challenges every single day.  I prefer to call them challenges vs. difficulties.  For me it has a more positive connotation. (Smiling)  I am thankful that I do not have to face these challenges alone.  I have a Heavenly Father who knows and cares about every single thing that happens to me and He is always there for guidance and help.  It is mine for the asking.  Maybe we struggle more than we need to because we don't ask for His help!

Time goes by so quickly, we haven't time to waste.  Life becomes so much more enjoyable when we are giving of our time and talents to make someone else's life better, happier, and easier.  Helping others is a good place to begin with really living our life!  I hope you will take time today to do something kind and positive for someone else, expecting absolutely nothing in return. You will be blessed and so will they!  And maybe, you will give them the hope they need to see the

Sunshine After the Storm

Blessings!

Betsy

LOL

I have had an extremely eventful week.  I've told you before and I'll probably tell you again and again, that there is NEVER a dull moment in my house aka my life.  

You already know that not much goes as planned in our lives.  I wonder if we keep calendars or they keep us?  Appointments get changed, added, canceled. And it seems like each year I am purchasing the next year's calender earlier and earlier - I already have appointments to fill in for next year and have had for some time.  I guess I need to put a 2014 calendar on my next shopping list.

I know that I am not the only person who talks to themselves out loud.  I try to do it when I'm alone so people don't think I'm nuts.  (I know I am, but why let anyone else in on the secret?)  So yesterday, while running errands Mr. Negativity aka Satan popped into my head, and I started having a pity party. Thankfully it was brief, because Mr. Positivity aka Jesus, popped into the conversation. And He said to me in a still, small, voice, "Trust Me, do what needs to be done today, love Me, love on your kids, and you will be surprised and what I will do."  I of course, said, "I know Lord that You are right, You are always right.  I can do everything I need to do, because You have always had my back and always will."

Then to drive it home to me, He did one of those "God things" at the most unusual place in the most unusual way.  It was at the feed store where I was picking up deer corn.  (If you have read my earlier posts, you know that the kids and I love to watch the deer come in the back to graze.)  While I was waiting on the clerk to get the corn for me, an individual who just came in the store approached me and we had the most unusual conversation that I have had in a very long time with anyone.  And it had to do with just the thing I was talking with God about only 20 minutes before.  When I got in the van the whole thing struck me as so funny!  And I laughed, and I laughed, and I laughed.  I kept getting chuckles out of it and it's still funny today.  And I have a feeling that my boy was probably watching from Heaven and getting quite a chuckle out of the situation too!

See, I think God knew I needed a really good reminder of His love and provision for me.  And I think that He knew how desperately I needed to laugh. Proverbs 17:22 says, "A cheerful heart does good like medicine, but a broken spirit makes one sick."  It is difficult when one is in the depths of despair to find humor in anything.  And sometimes we feel guilty if we do! Listen up, it is okay to laugh, it is okay to be happy. I believe that it helps move us forward in the healing process.  And even in the midst of despair we can have joy that comes from hope!  When was the last time you took time to LOL?  My friends, keep looking for the

Sunshine After the Storm
Blessings!
Betsy 

Turning Point

I remember my counselor telling me that one day I would realize a turning point in my grieving process.  Even though she would remind me of that, I was doubtful. In the midst of such despair, it is practically impossible to see any light at the end of the tunnel. Remember, that everyone's grief is different, how they grieve and how long they grieve.  I was about two and a half years into grieving the loss of my son when that turning point came. 

I had been faithful to attend worship services over this two year period. We have a wonderful worship team, wonderful staff, wonderful pastors, wonderful fellow members.  I was sitting in church this particular Sunday, along with my two older girls and my husband.  For the life of me, I cannot remember the exact day, nor can I remember the exact message that Pastor Bryan shared. But every word he spoke, was a word from the Lord, directed straight at my heart, mind and soul.  I tried so hard to keep the tears at bay during the message, but toward the end of the message there was a steady but quiet stream making it's way down my cheeks.

At the end of the message, Pastor Bryan invited us to participate in the Lord's Supper.  At our church, we go forward to receive the elements and come back to our seat to partake of them.  We were sitting in the back, as we sometimes do, because with six children to get ready, we are sometimes running late.  I remember feeling overwhelmed with a tsunami of tears.  I was at that point unable to move from my seat.  My family went forward (unaware of my emotional condition), along with others in the congregation and the sobs came.  They were deep sobs and there was no stopping them.  

And suddenly, there were strong arms around me, just holding me and letting me sob.  It honestly felt like I was in the arms of Jesus.  It was the most comforted that I had felt since this ordeal began.  This man of God, allowed himself to be used by God to minister to me during this critical turning point. For that time that he held me, his arms became the arms of Jesus.  It was the touch I so desperately needed.  I will forever be thankful and grateful for this fellow Christian and the love he showed to me that day.  That moment, was indeed, my turning point in the grieving process.  Not to say that it was over, but I began to look at everything in a different light. It's when I started to catch glimpses of the sunshine after the storm. 

As Christians, we are here to be the hands and feet of Jesus to minister to others. We should never, ever under estimate the power that we have through Jesus to make a difference in the lives of others.  We just have to be willing to keep our eyes open for the opportunities and listen to the prompting of the Lord.  

Who can you be a blessing to today?  You might just be the turning point that someone is waiting for!  Keep your eyes open to see the 

Sunshine After the Storm
Blessings!
Betsy

Well Crap!

Oh my goodness.  What a life I lead.  Some days are just too much and today was one of them.  

I had to run into town to do some grocery shopping and birthday shopping.  I waited until it had cooled off to about 92 degrees at 5:15 p.m., to make my trip.  While shopping, I got a call from my oldest daughter that the sinks were gurgling and one of the toilets was not flushing.  I could not have been more delighted with this news!  (Yes, I am being sarcastic.)  I told her not to run anymore water and not to flush any toilets until I could get home.

If you have read my earlier posts, you know that I live on 10 acres in the country.  We have some really good well water and a new and huge septic tank.  So, if you have ever had a septic tank you know that gurgling sinks and toilets not flushing are NOT good signs.  So, I finished up my shopping and got home about 7:15 just as the sun was starting to set.  I unloaded my groceries and threw the frozen items in the freezer and headed outside with my oldest daughter to tackle one of the grossest jobs on earth.

I needed a hammer to loosen the cap that is on the doohickey thingy pipe that I needed to look down in to see if "things" were backed up where I thought they were.  Well of course, I could not locate the hammer.  It was not where it was supposed to be.  So I ended up having to use a wrench.  Let's just say, that cap was not going to come off without some divine intervention. As I tapped and pried, my daughter pulled and I just started praying for Jesus to give us the physical strength we needed to get that cap off.  And after working together and using every ounce of strength we could muster we got it off.  By this time it was dark, so we needed a flashlight to look down the in pipe.  Sure enough it was backed up.  Yippee!  (Yes, I'm being sarcastic again!)

Next came the utterly disgusting job of snaking the water house down into the pipe, and trying to get it to turn at the bottom into another pipe. Guess what?  You can't just snake it in.  You have to put your entire arm in, up to your armpits and work it into the other pipe.  By this time we were working with a flashlight. There's something about sticking your hand and entire arm up to your armpits down into the cold, wet, dark unknown that oozes with creepiness and yuckiness. Have mercy!  My daughter and I took turns trying to force the hose in as far as we could get it to clear the um, well, the problem. After about an hour the water started going down and soon water was flowing free and clear and I practically broke into the Hallelujah Chorus.  

Of course, I had bathed the dogs earlier in the day, and one of the kids let them out and they decided to roll in the overflow mess.  So not only did my daughter and I have to shower, but the dogs ended up getting a second bath. We had not had supper yet and it was 9 p.m., by the time all the children were fed and 9:30 by the time they were tucked in.  And I still have a dessert to make tonight and it's 10:30 now!  

This was the last thing I needed and it couldn't have come at a worse time. And somewhere in the midst of all this mess, I thought that there never ever would be a good time to have to deal with it!  I can't say I ever really want to do that again in my lifetime, but I know I will have to.  Then my mind shifted to loss and grief.  Loss is always the last thing we need and there never really is a good time for it to come, is there?  And we cannot handle the loss and grief on our own.  We need divine intervention to help us when we are in the cold, dark, depths of despair.  Sometimes we feel like we are wallowing in muck and mire and will never be able to get out.  But praise the Lord, for His helping hand to lift us up.  And praise the Lord for really good friends and family members who are there to lend their helping hand!   

I don't know what you are dealing with today, but I know that God is there, just waiting for you to reach out for His hand.  I pray that you will find comfort in Him today!  Keep looking for the 

Sunshine After the Storm
Blessings!
Betsy