Putting one foot in front of the other...

We may not go to church every Sunday, but leaning on my Faith is all I know to do at a time like this, Georgia. And listening to music gives me peace, helps me find the words to talk to God and gives me GREAT comfort.

"Oh, my soul
Oh, how you worry
Oh, how you're weary, from fearing you lost control
This was the one thing, you didn't see coming
And no one would blame you, though
If you cried in private
If you tried to hide it away, so no one knows
No one will see, if you stop believing

Oh, my soul
You are not alone
There's a place where fear has to face the God you
know
One more day He will make a way
Let Him show you how, you can lay this down
'Cause you're not alone"

-Casting Crowns (one of my favorites, sweet peach)

Here's what else I know about coping in this unimaginable time of heartache:

You must be mindful. What does that mean?
It means, when your mind goes to the 'what if' or your mind reflects on 'what was' you MUST pull yourself into the present.

Listen for the birds singing. Look for the person you can hold the door for. Respond with a pleasant greeting to the person who just greeted you.

Be mindful. Appreciate the day you are given.

Secondly, understand that experiencing joy is okay. Laughing is okay.

Just this past week our family got the most joy out of a .25 cent bouncy ball, a box for an oversized chair, and an impromptu dance party. The laughter that filled this house was immeasurable and just the medicine my soul needed.

If you find yourself in pain, in heartache, don't ignore the joyful things around it.

Life is going to knock you down. It's not a matter of if - it will. And it's how you get up and respond to it that matters.

Your daddy and I love you dearly and we will try as we may to cushion your fall, but you will fall. That's life.

But you get up sweet peach, no matter how hard it may feel, and you stand up again...putting one.foot.in.front.of.the.other until you realize you don't have to think about it so much anymore. It may take awhile. Be patient. Have faith. And know...you're not alone.

All my love,
Mom