The Kindness and Compassion edition. Here are quick hit examples of how people have loved me lately:
1. Mr. Chili, for making me chocolate chip cookies as only he can make them (after I called him on the verge of tears after attempting – and failing – to make decent cookies at Mom’s house).
2. O’Mama, for calling me every single day, even through her own crisis, and for understanding all of the things I’ve been feeling that I’ve not been comfortable telling anyone else.
3. Sphyrnatude, for taking my kids with a matter-of-factness that still brings me up short, and for telling me what I needed – but didn’t necessarily want – to hear.
4. Grammar Snob, for texting me out of the blue to check in and send me her good energy (not to mention all the chocolate she sent me in the mail!).
5. Gerry, Honey, and BlueMoon, for holding me in their hearts, for sending me text messages of love and support, for knowing exactly how I feel (so I don’t have to try to explain it), and for keeping a space for me in their home; I know that I’m welcomed there any time, and having that in my future is helping me stay upright.
6. Meadmaker and Bobbie, for a TON of things, but specifically for bringing me dinners and for letting me use their car so I can finally get my check engine light issue resolved.
7. John, because even though he had to take down the for sale sign, he’s sending me emails to let me know he’s still thinking of me.
8. Ellie, the hospice nurse, for recognizing that I was cracking and for not letting me let myself take on all the responsibility.
9. Jim Johnson, editor of Straight, Not Narrow, for being the kind of Christian that I wish I knew more of.
10. All of you – I don’t want to name you all because I’m afraid I’ll forget someone and make them feel unappreciated, and I won’t have that – for all the love, support, understanding, and kicks in the ass that I need as I continue to navigate my way through the end of my mother’s life. I have held, since the day I opened this blog, that I am in it for the community. I’m not sure that I could have a better support system. I am grateful, in ways that defy words, for all that you do for me just by being out there, reading, listening, and offering advice and insight. Thank you!
Mrs. C, you are blessed to have a wonderful support system of friends and family.
The fact that you have so many people to thank says a lot about the person YOU are. I’m glad you ave so much support.
I don’t do much but I am glad you can feel my support from CT. You are so lucky to have people close to you and step in and help you and to check in on you.
As far as the chocolate chip cookies go I think I may need Mr CHilli’s help oh gosh if you could have seen what came out of the oven on Monday with a group of students waiting ever so patiently for their chocoloate chip cookies!
Take care
From my end, I never feel I’ve done enough, if anything, but you are indeed in our hearts (all of you and all of our hearts).
Our three houseguests left yesterday, and my Honey’s brother came with his daughter (a delightful 17-year-old who he’s raised as a single father). They drop in during the summer from Woostah. Right now UNH is atop her college list, but who knows where she’ll end up?
Bluemoon and Newmoon (Babycakes) are still here.
I keep thinking of a lightning trip to the Frozen North, but I know the Chili schedule might permit no more than a quick “hello” if that.
Beautiful post. You are loved.
You receive what you give so it’s no wonder you have a good community around you.
You are loved. More, you are understood, cherished, and supported.
You also give as good as you get.
Love!
Know that love and light are coming your way from NE Ohio.
How could we not support you? You reap what you sow, and you’ve been supporting many of us for a few years now.
Hang in there, and take care of you, hon.
That you can articulate gratitude so well is a rare and wonderful thing. (Thank goodness there are parents like you raising children.)