In May there is are all the end of school activities. Then a week off then three weeks of summer school. Then before you know it all the back to school shopping and preparations. And of course, we are adventurers. And we live in an outdoorsman's dream area. We have so many beautiful state parks within anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour's drive from us. And the children and I try to fit in day trips to as many of these beautiful places that we can.
I grew up loving the outdoors and camping. Some of my best childhood memories are of camping and fishing with my parents. So naturally I have wanted my children to enjoy the experience of camping My mom, bless her heart, bought us an eight person tent and sleeping bags this summer. On the spur of the moment we threw everything we needed for a weekend into the mini van and off we went to a beautiful lake area a bit further than we usually travel.
The weather, when we left, was beautiful and the forecast for the next few days was great. By the time we arrived it was drizzling and we threw the tent up and ate a quick sandwich before it started to get dark and rainy. At this point the kids were thinking this was a grand adventure. The next morning it was still drizzling and the drizzle turned into rain. This didn't deter the fun the kids had - they walked around the campground, read books, played games in the tent, etc. There was a break in the rain and we had covered the fire wood with a tarp to keep it dry. We were able to roast hotdogs and make s'mores.
We headed to bed before a nasty thunderstorm hit. It rained, and it poured and the wind blew, and the thunder cracked and the lightening lit up the sky. And inside the tent, well let's just say that it got wet and chilly. And some got wetter than others. Well, you would think that there would have been complaints galore, but no. We chose instead to tell funny stories and laugh and talk until the storm passed. Then after the wind and thunder eased up and only the rain remained, we tried to find dry places in the wet tent to sleep until morning. And we did, somehow, survive that night.
Now, I would like to say that in the morning the sun was shining brightly but I can't. It was still raining. It had slowed to a drizzle, but we headed to the shower house for long warm showers. I don't think there have been too many times we have enjoyed a shower quite so much. And even though we had to go back into the drizzle and take down the tent and pack up all of our wet things, we were refreshed and we were still in good spirits. In fact the kids were in such good spirits they wanted to stay "in case the rain stopped."
Most people would have thought that was a miserable first camping trip. So miserable that they would NEVER want to go camping again. But we had a great time and the kids were ready to go again. And by the time we arrived home later that day the sun was shining. We were able to set up the tent in our yard to dry and wash and dry the sleeping bags and all was well.
Two weeks ago I had several really rough days in a row. There had just been so much "rain" in my life for so very long. All I felt like doing was crying. I remember crying out, "Lord, I want to go home! I want to see George again and Daddy and be with You, Jesus!" I was not suicidal, just longing to be home.
God has a purpose for me still being here and sometimes it is just a day by day process of being the person that He wants me to be to bring light to even one person in what may be a terribly dark day for them. Oh, I get weary, but I know that someday, I'm going to wake up and the Son is going to be shining on me and I am going to be home with George and Daddy and the Sweet Lord who has given me so very much. That's why even though this journey of grief seems never ending I WILL keeping looking for the
Sunshine After the Storm
Blessings
Betsy
