Three years later

In July 2007 my family lost our special grand-daughter, Cadence.  It has been a long three and 1/2 years with many ups and downs as far as my grief work is concerned.   In fact, this is the first Christmas since her death that I have pulled out all the Christmas decorations and decorated as I used to years ago.  I placed her “First Christmas” ornament at the top of the tree with tears in my eyes.   But right next to it, I placed our grandson’s “First Christmas” ornament with a bittersweet joy.   You see, God gave us a special addition to our family a year after Cadence’s  death almost to the day.   She died on July 20, 2007 and our grandson was born on July 15, 2008.  What a blessing he has been and what a huge help he has been in helping me work through my grief.   Life continues, yet my grief wells up at unexpected times.  It can be a song, a picture, or something someone says.  I then find myself in the throes of grief all over again.  God has taught me many things throughout this process.  The main thing He’s taught me is that He is my Provider, Sustainer, Refuge, Abba Father, My All.  All I need is Him, all else falls into the right perspective.   I have come to more clearly understand what it means to be content in the circumstances I find myself.  I have come to understand that my focus must stay on Him at all times.  Merry Chrismtas……