“Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
they are ever praising you.” -Psalm 84:4
you GUYS. the most wonderful thing happened today. i signed a contract to become a HOMEOWNER. i will have my very own condo, a place to call my own. she is all mine. and what a lovely little uptown beauty she is! i can’t stop smiling.
i should tell you that this year hasn’t been an easy one so far. 2013 was preluded with the terrible tragedy of the sandy hook elementary school shooting and my papa being sick on christmas, something that seems fairly insignificant but that would ultimately lead to his diagnosis of a very aggressive form of cancer in january.
i know i’ve sort of talked about it a lot, but papa’s diagnosis turned my life upside down in a way that i never imagined and wish i never experienced. it’s both devastating and agonizingly encouraging to realize how much of a relief death is for the loved ones of a person who is dying, after seeing him in such pain. it doesn’t seem fair for a person to have a choice of terrible pain or death. watching someone you love suffer so much is hurtful to a family, and although we’ve come out of it together, it’s been a difficult road. but together, we have. and we will.
a terrifying number of my friends’ grandparents have also passed away or fallen ill this year, and i’m sure that i am too young for this to become common. after all, papa was 76. he wasn’t old. he still rode his bike and took the stairs and worked in the yard. my friends’ grandparents weren’t old either, and it scares me that it’s been such a pattern this year.
next – another heartbreak – a dear friend’s mother passed away this month – a shattering, disturbing realization of how precious and fragile life is, even for the young. what a beautiful person she was, and it kills me to think of the three sweet girls, husband, and parents who she left behind. i love them all, and i am consoled only by the thought that she is now in lovely heaven and the fact that her big heart has left its legacy on so many people.
the boston marathon bombing, the tragedy in west [not far from home – remember when i posted about their kolaches?], and the devastating tornadoes in moore and many other towns this spring have all gotten me thinking about the uncertainty of this world. how strange it is that everything can be fine and then, in a second, you’re faced with the most scary experience of your life, a mass destruction of people – something that is rare but feared by all.
and then there were many little things in my life – disappointments, a car accident, and lots of just pure exhaustion that have added hurdles along the way. as you know, it has been hard for me to write, to keep a regular blogging schedule, to face the events that were unraveling in my life, at times.
but.
i have not doubted for a minute that i am blessed in so many ways, despite some challenging times. i’m very lucky. The Lord looks out. He sure does.
and sometimes, right when you believe that your cross is too heavy to bear, He helps you carry it, or gives you a light to strive for and reassurance that you will get there.
and this is how it ended up that my brother got his internship with one of his dream companies while papa was sick, and how my dad made captain [he’s a pilot and this promotion has been long time coming] on the very day of papa’s funeral. how my mom has given my grandmother things to look forward to, which is not easy, as grieving goes. and how i’ve learned to be strong and sure of myself, and discovered the strengths and gifts of family members [some of which i never knew before, even though i’ve known these people my entire life], and friends as well.
and yesterday, how i happened upon my new condo, which was definitely a “meant to be” situation from start to finish, although it’s not the finish – it’s only the beginning.
God is good.
i can’t wait to tell you more about my sweet little place [she already has a name – “pink lady of the garden” :) – there’s a story that goes with that!] and she really is beautiful. i love her already.
you will be seeing more of her, but the important thing to remember, friends, is that the challenges that you face in life are nothing compared to the inner strength that The Lord gives you to get through them, and it will get better.
i promise.
:)