tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382629264175127167.post4636828005937695350..comments2024-03-25T05:22:40.086-04:00Comments on Widow’s Christian Place: Confronting ChristmasFerree Bowman Hardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739485535852107104noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382629264175127167.post-29186057303100789062013-12-12T23:58:00.989-05:002013-12-12T23:58:00.989-05:00"Give yourself permission to do whatever work..."Give yourself permission to do whatever works."<br /><br />I think this is wonderful advice. We are all so unique and so are our situations.<br /><br />This will be the third Christmas without my beloved husband. <br /><br />The first one I spent at home alone on Christmas Day. Not at all a good idea. It felt "odd" to be the only non-relative at a Boxing Day family gathering the following day with folks from church.<br /><br />I realized then that I had to make plans on my own. So the next Christmas I went away with a bus tour. Much better. <br /><br />Lots of festive activities among friendly people. A beautiful setting. Special meals. Even an informal "Carol Sing" in a lounge of the Grand Hotel in Nashville. New friends. New experiences. And for a person who had very little energy, all the planning and preparing and decorating was done by others.<br /><br />Now for the third Christmas. I love New England and now I've booked a tour going to the White Mountains for Christmas Week. I have even less energy now because of all the chemo and radiation treatments, so appreciate that my only task will be to "show up". The gift will be in the rest, refreshment, and zest of adventure that a trip to a new place entails. I always find folks friendly, caring, and kind. <br /><br />I find it literally true that God's mercies are new every morning. He finds new ways to bless me every. single. day. In spite of bereavement, cancer, heart problems, loss of work and income, loss of energy, and side effects from chemo. It really is true that He daily "loads" us with blessings. <br /><br />I can't remember who said it, but I sure do like it:<br /><br />"Every moment of our lives, we are standing under a Niagara of blessings."<br /><br />God bless you, Ferree. And Merry Christmas to you and all your sweet readers.<br /><br />Love,<br />Honey BeeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382629264175127167.post-57867305486751829322013-12-12T12:54:18.002-05:002013-12-12T12:54:18.002-05:00Great post and very good advice. ♥
I want to tha...Great post and very good advice. ♥ <br /><br />I want to thank you adding this to your post. <br /><br /> "Keep first things first and remember what Christmas is really about---that Jesus came to redeem us and offer eternal life. Have you accepted his gift yet? That's all we really need to put on our list for this Christmas."<br /><br /> I am guilty myself of getting caught up in my grief during the holidays. I shouldn't be putting my grief at the top of my list. <br /><br />♥<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382629264175127167.post-36833100862547559422013-12-12T08:39:58.122-05:002013-12-12T08:39:58.122-05:00Good practical advice!Good practical advice!Sharon V.W.noreply@blogger.com