Are YOU Experiencing a "New Normal" in Your Life? - Updated 8/19/2018

I was just going back through some old posts written over the past several years regarding my "mother-in-law".  There were many...and I may just have to compile them into a kind of book someday. As most of you are aware, "Nanny", my mother-in-law, passed away this past week at the age of 95.  She was an amazing woman until the very end.  We are now experiencing another kind of "New Normal" in our lives...adjusting to life after "Nanny".  It will take some time to adjust...she was such a huge part of our lives for so long. I've been a member of this clan for 49 years, and so I feel like a very large part of my life and heart is missing today.  But we know where she is!  And the things I wrote almost eight years ago (see highlighted below) have now come true for her...

Original Post 1/16/2011:

I do hope to get back to some kind of "normal" someday...I guess I just need to adjust to our "new normal"...and I am very thankful for what God is doing here...but I still need His wisdom and grace each day...  

This was going to be my status statement on my facebook page today, but then I thought perhaps it might need too many explanations, so I decided to move it over to my blog instead.  For those of you who have no idea what I am talking about, here goes...

A couple of weeks before Christmas my 87 year old mother in law came to live with us. Now, don't get me wrong...I dearly love my mother in law...she is a beautiful and wonderful person... and we have always had a great relationship...one that has spanned over 41 years!  We have been through a lot of trials and joys together.  She has been a strong support for our family during times of illness and trauma.  She was there for me following my two major surgeries...caring for my personal needs as well as the needs of my home and family when I was unable to get up on my own.  She also came to stay with us many years ago when our son Matthew was undergoing surgery for a brain tumor, and I don't know what I would have done without her help during those very difficult and uncertain days.  She has helped us pack and move more times than I care to remember...and was there helping with the unpacking and resettling as well.  When our children were very small she and my father in law came almost every Sunday afternoon with a car load of groceries to help us through some difficult times.  When my husband felt the call to prepare for the ministry, and our plans got turned upside down because our 18 month old son was hit by a car and we had to make some quick decisions about employment and housing, it was my in-laws' support that carried us through the remainder of that very difficult school year so that we didn't have to drop out of school prematurely. 

The list could go on an on...and actually this has been a very good exercise for me to pause and remember just how much genuine unselfish love this dear lady has showered on our family throughout the years.  It actually is helping me to put things in perspective...

Yes, we are experiencing some major adjustments with these changes that are happening in our home presently...but how could I allow it to be any other way?  How could I not open my home to this dear one who has sacrificed so much for me and mine throughout the years? That's what family is all about...when things get difficult for one or the other...we do whatever we need to do to help the one in need.

Jesus said in Matthew 25:34-36, 

"Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'"  

And He concludes this portion in verse 40 with His response to the "sheep" who wondered when they had done all of those things with the following words, 

"And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'"   

My mother in law truly exemplifies the "sheep" in the above passage...she has literally fulfilled all of the examples given in verses 35-36 in caring for our family so completely throughout the years.  I have no doubt that God, the Great King, will one day say to her, "Vivian, come you blessed of My Father and inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."   And, knowing my dear humble mother in law, she will respond with awe and amazement, "Lord, when did I do any of those things you mentioned?" and He will tell her, "When you so lovingly cared for your children and grandchildren, and for your own husband and mother and father and sisters (and her own mother and father in law as well)...when you always put others ahead of yourself...and when you loved your daughter-in-law like your very own daughter...even when she was not always as grateful as she should have been and was too proud and selfish to understand how much you truly cared... Yes, Vivian, assuredly I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me." 

Yes, our family is experiencing a new kind of normal these days...we have added the laughter and sweetness of my mother in law to our home.  And even though she is going through some major adjustments in her own mind and heart and body, she continues to try to do her very best to care for the rest of us at the same time.  We are blessed by her presence, for however long God allows her to stay...and we know that He will give us the grace and wisdom we need each day. 

Thank you, Father, for this lesson today.  It has helped me to recognize exactly what You intended all along.  Amen.



This was our son Benton and my mother in law  on "Nanny Steiner's" 87th birthday in July last year. She loved hearing us sing "Happy Birthday" to her!  Such a great lady!!!

How about you?  What kind of "new normal" are you experiencing these days?  My prayer is that God will give you His insight and grace to help you get through each new day.


Postscript 8/19/18:  I know this gracious woman is rejoicing in the Presence of Jesus today...and enjoying all the joys and beauties of her heavenly home.   And we will see her again someday...thanks to Calvary!!



Friday Foto Friends...Seasons of Life

Written on Thursday evening...for Friday Foto Friends.

Hello! Life has been rather crazy here this week, as most of you already know.  My  95 year old mother in law, "Nanny",  is still among the living, but barely. Every morning we expect a call from the nursing home telling us she passed in the night...but so far she is hanging on and we make the hour's drive in every day to see her and tell her we love her and try to soothe and comfort her when she is having extreme agitation.  Thankfully the meds they give help, but there are moments when they don't...so we sing hymns, hold her hands and talk softly to her and soon she calms down and drifts back to sleep.  We can't stay all day, so we tiptoe out after she falls asleep and go on about our business and wait for the call.  This has been our routine all week.  She is a strong woman, and for whatever reason, her time to let go just hasn't happened yet.  In God's perfect timing she will make the transition from this life to the next...and not a moment sooner.

I have been watching this rose develop, bud and bloom on my Don Juan Rose bush this past week. I had said to myself last week when I saw it beginning to form that it would be "Nanny's Rose", and that when it fully bloomed, she would probably be in heaven.  That was what came to my mind, because I've noticed that these roses in our memorial garden  seem to  bloom especially for special people on special days.  (click on the links for examples)  This is another example.

But the rose blossomed, and because of the extreme heat and dryness this week, it started to die very quickly...

And so I cut it and brought it inside and put it in water to see if it would revive, but as you can see, the sun damage was pretty severe.

And God said to me, "Who do you think you are, to be able to say on this day or that day so and so will happen? You are not Me, and you do not know the plans that I have for you or for "Nanny"...so please just rest in Me, and let Me show you what is best."

And so we wait, and I feel somewhat admonished...and yet comforted that God has shown me again that He is truly in control in all things...His timing is always perfect, and it is not up to me to know the times or the seasons  (even Jesus told His disciples this in Acts 1:7, just before the day of Pentecost)

"It  is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority."

But it is up to me to trust Him, and go about doing whatever needs to be done...and leave these important issues and moments in the lives of our loved ones up to Him...and to just be patient and wait on Him.

Same thing with my brother...he has been in ICU all week after a serious complication to his Acute Leukemia happened. He is battling a severe fungal lung infection, and has been on a respirator and under sedation since Monday. But each day is showing new signs of improvement, and they are hoping to take him off of the respirator possibly tonight or tomorrow.  I know many of you are Facebook friends and you have already been watching the progress all week and praying...and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  You are such a blessing to me. The prayer support means so much.

I had to submit some DNA samples this week, to be tested for a possible match in the event that he should need a bone marrow transplant.  My other two siblings also are being tested. We hope and pray that he won't need to have this done, but we are ready to do our part if it should come to that.

I will try to keep you posted throughout these next days regarding the state of things here, but if you don't hear from me often, just keep praying. I am sorry I haven't been able to get around and visit you all like I'd like. I try to take a peek now and then, but with the daily journey to and from the nursing home and trying to keep up with "life in general", some things have to be set aside. You all understand that.  

Here are a few more pictures I've managed to snap as we've taken a our early morning or evening walks. That is a time of relaxation and regrouping our thoughts as hubby and I walk together.  Very therapeutic...and I thank the Lord for those times.

 Evening Sun reflected on the neighborhood pond.  The golden glow of the sun tells me that summer is fleeting and fall is on its way...

 That same spiderweb a day later (See A Fragile Thread) 

 This Milkweed Plant popped up again in the same place since last year...just waiting for it to bloom...

Coral bean plant...now you see why it is named the coral bean plant! Those red "bean" seeds are poisonous...but the flower in the spring was beautiful:

Then: (spring)

NOW: (late summer)

Neighborhood Deer...I sometimes think he's a pet...he just hangs around...

I believe he is a yearling who is now on his own as the parent deer have a new family to raise...

I know you probably can't see what I see in this picture of the little pine tree, but one morning it was all sparkly with the dew and the sun shining through, and I told hubby that it reminded me of a little Christmas tree, all decked out with lights and icicles...and for some reason that thought made me happy and gave me hope...

Life goes on...the seasons of life come and go...Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter...

One more thing...

Remember this pillow?

Yes, that is the pillow I made for my husband's cousin Janice last summer for her birthday.

It came back to me this week. One year later, Janice is in heaven, and her immediate family returned it back to me.  I made this especially for Janice from the vintage embroidery that I found among her grandmother's things when we  cleaned out Nanny's house. Janice always had poodles, and so this just seemed to be meant for her.  

Now it is in our guest room, which has reminders of my hubby's grandmother, his mother, and now his cousin.

These familiar words of King Solomon seem to fit here:

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, 11

"To everything there is a season,

A time for every purpose under heaven;

A time to be born,

and a time to die;

A time to plant, 

And a time to pluck what is planted;

A time to kill,

and a time to heal;

A time to break down,

and a time to build up;

A time to weep,

and a time to laugh;

A time to mourn,

And a time to dance;

A time to cast a way stones,

And a time to gather stones;

A time to embrace,

and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to gain,

and a time to lose;

A time to keep,

And a time to throw away;

A time to tear,

And a time to sew;

A time to keep silence,

and a time to speak;

A time to love,

and a time to hate;

A time of war,

and a time of peace."

11.  "He has made everything beautiful in its time.

Also He has put eternity in their hearts,

except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end."

Thank you for "bearing" with me 

on this little seasonal journey today...I hope this wasn't too depressing of a post...if it was, let me end with a happy picture:

Yes, that is "yours truly", riding on my retirement tractor! Yes, that is the same little pool that the bear is drinking out of above...

Okay, I'm calling it a night...you will see this in the morning, Lord willing...

Now let us drive our little tractor over  to Deb's place at Breathing in Grace and see what our other Friday Foto Friends have plowed up for us to enjoy!  Have a blessed day...and hug your loved ones and tell them you love them!!!

A Quick Check In

Wanted to check in with you all and let you know that I am still "alive and well"...just trying to get caught up from our busy weekend, and also taking care of things this week concerning my mother in law.  As of this moment, she is still hanging in there...and perhaps has had what is known as a "rally" day today...where she perked up, sat up, recognized everyone, and was totally opposite the way she has been for the past week.  She is still not eating or drinking, and we know that her time of "departure" is near, but if you saw her today you would think she'd had a total reversal of her health for the better.

Because I felt like her behavior today was so atypical from how she has been for the past week, I looked up the following information and discovered that what we were observing was most likely  what is being described in this article:   https://www.agingcare.com/articles/when-loved-ones-rally-before-death-185452.htm    Time will tell, but I guess I am preparing myself for the inevitable, and feel that it will be sooner than later. Thank you for your prayers for our family as we walk through the "valley of the shadow of death."  We know that our Great Shepherd is with us, and He truly gives us His "rod and staff" to comfort us.  (Psalm 23)

I know many of you are wondering about our big weekend trip that we just took. If you are a Facebook friend, you've already seen a few photos from our journey.  I will try not to bombard you with too much at once, but will break it up into several different posts as I can.  You can bet that my camera was kept in action all weekend long.  My cousin even said to me, "You should have plenty of pictures for several weeks of Friday Foto Friends".  I was surprised that she actually was paying attention to that...and that made me feel good to know. Thank you, cousin Becky!!!

For tonight I think I will just concentrate on some pretty scenery photos from our trip rather than family/people/or too many details.  Eventually you'll get the full scoop...probably more than you even want to know!!

 "The Lord is my shepherd,

I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul

He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

Two of my lovely nieces as we walked to the creek on the family property

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil;

My cup runs over.

 

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life;

Toccoa Falls, Georgia

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever."

Psalm 23

Photos are from our walk in the woods at my niece's home/property in North Carolina,  as well as several photos from our journey to Toccoa Falls, Georgia.

I will be back in touch with you as I can this week.  Thank you again for your thoughts and prayers. I am so thankful for such friends....

Remembering Mama ~ or "A Kiss from Heaven" Updated from 2013

5/10/2014   5/7/2015: 5/7/2017  5/7/2018

NOTE: I originally wrote this on May 7, 2013.  I can honestly say I still feel this every time I put on that sweater.  No wonder I find myself wearing it often.  Read on....


May 7, 2013:
Do you ever long to just be close again to someone you loved so much...? I know I do.  My Mama left this world for a far better place seven years ago today. (2018 = 12 years ago today!) I still have to pinch myself when I realize that it has been that long already...and yet she still seems so near.  Only those who have experienced this understand what I mean.

Dorothea  May Tedlie Mursch
January 6, 1917-May 7, 2006
This picture taken in 1987 at age 70

 As you can see by the picture above and these others, my Mama was a beautiful woman...even at such a great age as 87, as seen in this picture below, which was taken on her 87th birthday.  That's me on the left, and my sister Doris on the right. You can tell we are all related by the cheekbones, right? Yeah, that's the Tedlie claim to fame...we get our cheekbones from our Mama, and her Mama, Flora Sheets Tedlie.

She was  beautiful too.  But this is about my Mama.  

Mama and her girls on her 87th birthday

Mama and her girls on Mother's Day 2003

My Mama loved so many pretty things...like the beautiful dolls she collected, the African Violets she somehow managed to keep growing when mine just all withered away. She loved lilacs, but sadly couldn't grow them in Florida, and oh, how she missed them!
(See "Flowers for Mama", originally written in 2010, and updated each year)

Me, Remembering Mama tonight  (2013) (notice the sweater)

Recently one cool spring morning  I was looking for something to put on my arms to take off the chill as I drove to work...and something that I could wear in my office when the air conditioning gets a bit too cold in my part of the building...and others are too warm in their section.  As I skimmed through the clothes hanging in my closet, I discovered something I had almost forgotten that I had...my Mama's sweater.  You know how "older ladies" always keep a sweater handy just in case they get chilled? (yeah...I'm learning about that...)...well, we used to tease my mother that she wouldn't go anywhere without her sweater, even in the heat of summer.  She always kept one in the car in case it got too chilly in a store or restaurant or church. Even though I still frequently tend to have those horrid "hot flashes", I can just as quickly have a "cold flash"...so I need something that is easy to put on and take off in a hurry...(you ladies know what I mean, don't you?)...alas...a sweater!

Anyway, on this particular morning I grabbed that sweater off the hanger and quickly put it on as I was running late to get to work. (What else is new?)  As I settled into the driver's seat in the car, adjusting the defroster, the radio, and my seat, I suddenly had this wonderful feeling of warmth...a soft comforting warmth enveloped my body...and my heart. My Mama's sweater wrapped around me and caressed me with her love. I felt it. It was almost as if Mama was right there in my sweater with me, holding me close, cradling me in her arms so tenderly once again. I felt it. I knew it. I was overwhelmed with the sense of her presence. It was a tender, loving, embrace straight from heaven. Yeah, I know it was just her sweater...but it was more than that. It was a tangible part of my memories of her...and it gave me tremendous comfort. I found myself wanting to talk with her again and just tell her how much I loved her...and I thanked her for touching me with her "presence" once again.  I also thanked the Lord for allowing me that little "kiss" from heaven. He knew that I needed it in more ways than one at that particular moment.  Essentially, it was a gift from God, sent especially to me...a reminder of His divine Presence in my life.

I hope you won't misunderstand these thoughts and think I'm some kind of kook.  I really don't care if you do think that. (probably won't be the first time...or the last!)   This is what happened, and it brought such peace and joy to my heart. God knows what we need and He can choose to bless us any way He wants. 

Perhaps you have had such "kisses from heaven" as well. My thought is that when something like this happens...

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever!"  Psalm 107:1 (NIV)

A Closed Door...and An Open Door - Updated

UPDATE:  This post was originally written several years ago, and as I was just re-reading it I thought it would be a good repeat for Father's Day weekend.  I was feeling a bit nostalgic and missing my family home...especially the ones who made that home so special.  Read on:


This is the door to my childhood home.  My parents' home.  I lived there from the time I was seven until I left to get married at the age of almost 19. (okay, I was still just 18, but very mature for my age!)  My Dad built this home, and he and my mother lived in this house for over fifty years.  They both died in the home they loved, and their wish to remain in their home until they died came true.

Seeing this picture of the door leading to my parents' home posted on my niece's Facebook page today kind of hit me right between the eyes and deep within my heart. Why? Because this door is closed. This door is now locked, and it will never again be open to welcome our family to the joys and happiness that we once shared within.

During all of those fifty plus years of our parents living in this home memories were made that will always be treasured in the hearts of each of their four children and their families, grandchildren and great grandchildren. We can never go back and relive those happy days, but we can remember them in our hearts and share them with our children and grandchildren and pass on the marvelous heritage of a loving home to all those who follow.

The thing that I need to remember is that although my parents' earthly house is empty and it will never be the same again, that is not the end of this story.  Why?  Because my parents are still alive and well...and enjoying the home that was not built with human hands...their heavenly home.  And the door to THAT home will NEVER be locked shut to those who believe.  It will be eternally open, and ready to receive those who have accepted the invitation to enter. As a matter of fact...that invitation is there for YOU as well!

Hear what Jesus said to His disciples:

"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.

In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.

I go to prepare a place for you.

And if I go and prepare a place for you,

I will come again and receive you to Myself;

that where I am, there you may be also. 

And where I go you know, and the way you know." 

"Thomas said to Him,

'Lord, we do not know where You are going,

and how can we know the way?'

Jesus said to him,

"I am the way, the truth, and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through Me."

John 14:1-6 

I am so thankful to know that I have a heavenly home, where the door is open, and Jesus is there waiting with open arms to receive me.  I also know that I will see my parents again in that home, because I have no doubt that they loved the Lord with all their hearts, and that they were looking forward to that heavenly home as well.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,

that whoever believes in Him should not perish

but have everlasting life."

John 3:16

Have you accepted Christ's invitation to dwell with Him in His heavenly home?  Think about it...and accept that invitation now while there is still time.

POSTSCRIPT: I Just had another thought...my parents also continue to live on in the lives of each of us, their children, and those who come after us. So this story has a double happy ending...or rather, beginning...

My Mom and Dad. 'Nuff said.  Love & miss them so much.

The Last Farewell...Revisited 6-15-12 - Random Journal Day #12

6/15/12:  I was just thinking about this story this morning and thinking about how wonderful God's mercies and blessings are to us during times of need, grief, anxiety, etc.  The following stories are true examples of the fingerprints of God on my life...and how He chose to bless me through His creation...
I am going to post this as my Random Journal Day post for this week...it comes from my online journal written just a little over a year ago, following the passing of my father from this life to heaven...the event that took place at the very moment he was entering heaven's gates...A definite "God-wink" especially directed to comfort my heart...Read on....


A couple of weeks ago I wrote a story for "GoodBlogs.com" entitled "The Owls Whoooo Came to Comfort Me".  (See link below)  If you haven't read it yet, please read it now before you read the following story. (I have also posted a copy of the story at the end of this story in case you can't connect to this link)
 (UPDATE 11-24-15...THIS LINK IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE SO PLEASE GO DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE AND READ "The Owls Whoooo-Came to Comfort Me"  first...and then come back here and read the rest of the story.  I am removing the original link that was here since it leads to nowhere.  Pam)

And now I would like to share with you the most miraculous and amazing sequel to this story...

First of all, let me explain that I am not superstitious, nor am I an animalist, or one who believes that animals have a soul in the spiritual sense...but I DO believe that God can choose any way He pleases to comfort and show us His love and power...and that He alone knows the best way to reach into our hearts when we need it the most.  So, that being said, let me proceed with my tale.

Earlier this week I walked through the valley of the shadow of death with my dear sweet father, and had the sacred privilege of witnessing his spirit leaving his earthly body and being joined with Our Heavenly Father as he breathed his last breath. Not that I physically saw any visible manifestation of his soul departing his body, but I was there, along with my sister, holding his hands as the angels came to carry him away from our presence. Even though we knew he was more than ready to go after his 92 -plus long years on this old earth, it still hurt to let him go.  He was a wonderful father and a dear, dear Christian...but it was time to say good-bye. 

When the morticians arrived to take his body away from us I could not bear to stay in the house and watch them cover and carry him out of that door forever from our presence.  As I fled out to the back yard that had long ago been my childhood sanctuary, I cried out to God for some kind of sign that my Daddy was with Him and that he was okay.  At the very moment those words departed from my lips, there was a sudden swoosh of wings escaping up out of the thicket of bushes to my left and I was extremely startled to see the very familiar blur of brown spotted feathers emerge and fly up to the trees above me. I could hardly believe my eyes as there, staring right back down at me with his enormous brown eyes, stood a most beautiful Barred Owl...just like the ones that I often watched in my own back yard some thirty miles away.  (Again I refer you to the story mentioned above) 

Now I was really crying, "Oh Lord Jesus! How amazing! How marvelous! How wonderful You are! How so like You to do something so exactly perfect for me at this very moment!"  Only God could do something this miraculous.  You see, even though others had heard these owls calling in the night in this area, no one had ever actually seen one in my dad's yard before. God knew even before I called out in my grief to Him that He already had the perfect response to my cries.  It was as if this owl was sent directly to me as God's messenger of comfort for that special moment.  Thankfully my sister happened to have her camera nearby so we could capture this event to share with others.

As we stood there watching, the owl kept looking back at us, as if he was giving us a message of hope from another world.  I found myself rejoicing instead of crying, knowing that my father was truly with the Lord...and that even at that precise moment he was entering heaven's gates and being welcomed by my mother, his other loved ones who had gone on before, and most of all, by Jesus Himself. 

After a few minutes passed, the owl became a bit restless, as though he was anxious to be on his way.  We, too, realized it was time for us to move on as we had much to do to begin the work of notifying loved ones, and making arrangements for a funeral service.  Reluctantly we started to move away from this place of peace, and the owl flew ahead of us a little way and landed on another tree, and looked back at us as if to say, "Have no fear...I'm okay...I'm finally home..."

This was the last farewell as he flew away from our presence and departed to his other world...

Not once, but twice in the past several weeks, God used these beautiful creatures to bring me comfort and messages of hope and love when I needed it most.  You can call it coincidence if you wish, and you may even think I'm a little bit "touched"...and I will say, "Yes, I'm touched alright...touched by God's holy presence and His wonderfully, mysterious ways.  If that is being "touched', then I say, Thank you, dear Jesus, for touching me."  Amen.

Postscript:  I am adding a copy here of the original blog written prior to this on "Goodblogs" in case that link becomes broken in the future:

The Owls WhOOOO Came to Comfort Me

By Pamela M. Steiner | Apr 9, 2011 | 7

Lately I've been feeling a little blue.  You see, my Daddy is in the last stages of his life, and each day we know we are getting closer to his departure from this earth.  Even though my Dad is almost 93 years old and has lived a long and happy life, I am still reluctant to let him go.   There is a plethora of emotions running through my mind as I think about just what it truly means to say goodbye to my last living parent.  Oh, there is no doubt in my mind as to where he will spend eternity...and I believe with all my heart I will join him there someday. 
I guess the fact that is bothering me is that soon the home I grew up in will no longer exist as I once knew it.  Once my father is gone from this earth, his earthly home will be dismantled piece by piece and scattered to the four winds...(that being the homes of my three siblings and myself and our progeny...and anyone else who wants a memento of what once was the family estate).   The place where we have gathered as a family for the past fifty four years for holidays, birthdays and special celebrations will be sold to strangers who will quickly put their own personal stamp of character and design on a home that housed all my childhood memories and treasures, and what we once called home will cease to exist.  I find myself wondering if my siblings and our extended families will ever be together again once that silver cord is broken.
So it was with these kinds of feelings running through my mind tonight that I wandered out into my own yard to walk around and touch base with my true feelings. Suddenly I heard the familiar "Who who cooks for you?" call of our resident Barred Owl...calling to his mate to let her know he had come 'home' and was looking for her.  I looked up into the trees through the dusky light filtering through the leaves and saw the first owl land on a high branch...and then a few seconds later the other glided onto a tree nearby.  They both looked toward each other, but then they also looked down at me and sat there very still, pretending that they were hidden from my view.  So I sat down on my patio and waited to see what would happen next.  Once they felt comfortable enough with my presence there, the one owl flew over to the other, and sat right down beside her just as close as two fully grown owls could get to one another, and then they proceeded to snuggle right up to each other, with what appeared to me to be kissing and hugging and greeting each other as if they had been away for a long time. This went on for several minutes, and I stood there in awe as I witnessed their obvious joyous homecoming and sweet love for each other.  I found myself saying over and over again to myself, "How sweet! How marvelous!  How beautiful!"

Then the tears started to roll down my cheeks as I thought to myself..."That's just like 'Bill and Dorothea' (my parents' names)...and how happy they are going to be when Daddy finally enters heaven's gates.  My sweet mother has been waiting there patiently for him for five long years, and when he arrives with a hoot and a call, she will be waiting there with open arms and lots of kisses to welcome him...finally...home! 

And then an astounding thing happened... as I watched them continue to bill and coo with each other, suddenly they both opened their massive wings and silently flew off together to the big trees across the street from my house and out of my view.  But I was no longer feeling blue.  I felt such a sense of peace and joy and comfort, for I knew that my Dad was going "home" and his reunion with my mother would be so joyful...and one day, we too will have such a happy reunion ourselves. 

Lord, I thank you for the owls YOU sent to comfort me tonight.  It was a picture I will never forget...and when my Daddy finally gets his angel's wings and flies out of our sight, I know he will finally be at peace and at home with YOU and Mama. And I also know You will take care of the rest of us left behind...no need to worry about that anymore.  Thank you...and Amen.

I hope you enjoyed reading these true stories of how God ministered to my heart during that time of grief.  A few months ago we moved away from that home where our Barred Owl friends lived, and I have really missed my daily 'conversations' with them.  However, it helps me realize all the more that this was a special gift from God for a particular time of need in my life.  My current home has already blessed me with some new and interesting manifestations of God's grace and love...time will tell what other lessons He has in store for me there.  Oh, and by the way, we do occasionally hear some Barred Owls in the woods surrounding our new home...they just haven't allowed us to see them yet. 

Some of my other blogging friends are sharing their stories from the past on the Random Journal Day linkup.  Go to Beneath the Surface:Breath of Faith and check out the other stories for this week. You will be blessed I am certain!

Thanks for stopping by!