Widow #6

My sister Mary was the last to join our group.  She has suffered a little more and different grief than the rest of us.  She became a widow December 19, 2009. Her husband Jerry died after a long battle with stomach cancer. 
In August of 2004 she lost her youngest son. After spending over 5 months at the University Medical Center both day and night helping take care of Jerry, she took him home where he died not quite 2 months later. She too was a young widow and made the decision she would rather celebrate life than succumb to sorrow.  Her first trip was with us to Ft. Collins and it didn't ake her long to become a Widow gone wild.  At least as wild as we seem to be.

It amazes me how God has shown us, there are so many women (face it, it's a fact.  We women definitely are outliving our male counterparts!) out there who do not know how to live after they have lost their husbands.  A customer where I work called the other day and 2 years later was still having trouble finding a reason to live.  She had attempted suicide.  God has put us each hear for "Such a time as this", to show love to each other.  To help those who are struggling to find a purposr.  To laugh when it seems there is no reason.  To dance when we feel like crying and to love when you can't imagine how.   
Life is about living it to the fullest.  Look for the rainbow after the rain.  God keeps his promises, just like this rainbow.  2 full rainbows accross the eastern sky ..........There is a God.

And #7 is

I remember now what #7 is. God has blessed me with a song in my heart.  I wake up in the morning to "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood" and go to bed at night with another.  Pick a word any word and I can tell you a song it is in.  These days it takes my computer brain a little longer to search the memory banks but it still does work.  We grew up to my Mom always singing.  Especially the song "Detour - there's a muddy road ahead".  I can't look at a detour sign and not think about it.  The girl I work with shakes her head when I start singing a song to something she has just said.  Some days I just can't keep from singing his praises for all the joy he has brought into my life.  Yesterday was one of those days.  In a small office a person singing completely off tune can be painful.  Thank you Apple for Iphone and I tunes.

Most Beautiful Random Blogger Award

Thank you Colorado Belle for the most beautiful award.  You know these blogs are a way to touch people we will never know or meet but in a the quiet times as we read they somehow become our friends.  Now I have to come up with seven things you might not know about me. Hummmmmm.

1. I am blessed with 4 loving and caring children 2 boys & 2 girls, am a Nana to 2 beautiful grandbabies that brighten my day every time I see them or hear their voice, and am #8 in a family of 16.  The middle child.

2. I have a dream (really there are quite a few) to run Avalon Healing Hearts Bed & Breakfast.  A place where people can come and find peace and comfort while going through the grieving process.  Some days I can feel it.  I know God has a plan for it and it will include something for my widows.

3. I have read more books and watched more movies in the last 6 years than in the other 48 years of my life.

4. I would love to climb a 14er, is that how you spell it.  Started hiking a couple of years ago and love enjoying God's beauty and majesty.

5.  Piano - Ohhh someday I would love to learn to play one with 2 hands.

6.  I have been to almost every state in th US except the Northeastern ones.  Vermont or Connecticut in the late fall.  Maine. 

7.  Now this one I haven't got it right yet.  I tried 7 times to post it but it would go through so there must be something missing...............  Will have to get back with that one.  

What's in a name?

A little explanation about the post last week about wolves.  When we began "Widows Gone Wild" it was more of a joke that stuck.  Completely innocent.  Someone we knew decided to take the name & grab the "Domain" rights.  Not a big deal usually.  One day we decided to just enter the domain name.  Unfortunately the people who own the domain name have used it to link it to other sites.  Not necessarily favorable ones and definitely now what we stand for or want people to think about us.  My nephew was going to send them an official letter, a "Cease and Desist."  We were told because when came up with the name, it belongs to us.  Well it seems we are not the first to use the name.  The other day there was a comment by someone who was concerned the post was meant for them and they mean no harm to our widows.  Did you know there is, was, and may still be a band by the name of "Widows Gone Wild"? The song on My Space did not necessarily sound like widows but I am 54 what do I know?  
SOOOOOO my question to those of you who read this (and will also go to my widows), what is in a name?  Should we change our name?  "Widows only" was suggested. What do you think?

And then there were five..........

Bernice joined our group for our Yellowston Trip.  She became a widow in 2002 and was married to my Dad's younger brother.  My Aunt Bernice adds a different excitement to our trips.  She is the first one to ask "Are we there yet?", which she happens to do about 10 minutes after our trip begins.  She has definite opinion about religion and politics and isn't afraid to voice them.  She makes us all think when we have our discussions.  She keeps us all hoppin' and will soon be a great-great grandma!  How's that for exciting.

Beware of wolves.

The world is full of very wonderful people.  I as a widow have been blessed by people around me who encourage, support, love & protect me.  They follow the bible when it says in Ps 68:5 to be defender of the widows" and 1Tim 5:4 to "honor widows".  But there are also those who would chose to exploit them in the name of money.
We when began "Widows Gone Wild" it was done to help some grieving women to smile.  There are people on the internet who have taken our name and would like to use it in a negative way.  They want to take the innocence of our group away...... So please you widows beware of the wolves whether the coming sheep clothing or not!!!!!!!!

The Week of Celebration

Just a little about the week I became a widow.  The third week in May of 2004 had promised to be one of great celebration.  Our daughter Jennifer was graduating from the University of Wyoming on Sautrday May 15 and the following week would be our oldest son Jeremy's wedding day. Sandwiched in the middle was our daughter Jamie's 19th birthday.  That was how it was supposed to play out. And then the Big C hit.  Jim's onocologist set his goal at having Jim healthy enough to go to Jen's graduation and Jeremy and Victoria's wedding. Things began to escalate with the cancer and by Thursday May 13th Jim was in the hospital to get some nourishment through IV's.  We knew that was the answer. By this time the graduation was out but wedding was still a goal. Friday after came the news Jim would not be at the wedding.  All the while we continued to pray for a miracle.  The kids headed to Laramie for the Graduation.  Later some friends picked me up and we headed to Laramie for the party.  Saturday night we were surrounded by family and friends as Jim spoke his last words.  By Monday he was moved to Hospice at Johnson's Corner an absolutely wonderful place.  We still had a wedding happening and by Monday afternoon GOD in his infinite wisdom and love told me Wednesday would be my last day spending day and night with Jim.  Thursday we would begin the wedding celebration.  Little did we know that Wednesday would be  Jim's last day here.  He died at 9:10 a.m. That day was a day of tears, laughter and love as people came to show their respects for this man and his family.  What a whirlwind the next few days were.  Thursday memorial plans were made followed by a birthday celebration for Jamie.  Wedding rehearsal came Friday night.  Saturday was the wedding and a true witness to GOD's grace.  We were able to sing, dance, cry but most of all celebrate this union.  Sunday brought the memorial in a barn setting - how appropriate. 

We danced for Jim to the song Take me to the rodeo. We would imagine him smiling in heaven as we did.  Jeremy and Victoria left for their Honeymoon on Monday which would have been our 29th Anniversary.   Every year when this week comes up I marvel at how a family could face sorrow & grief with true celebration that week because of something given to us all for free ..................GOD's Grace.   I guess our prayers were answered.  It was a miracle.