For my first post of the new year, I thought I’d start with an entry for The Simple Woman’s Daybook. A lot has happened in our lives since my last daybook post. We’ve begun a new decade and my family is minus a member as my son, Stephen, went home to be with Jesus in November, 2019. Each day will hold new challenges, but with God we can face them all.
For Today
Looking out my window…
The day I started this post there was a mixture of clouds and sun, but the sky is beautiful!
I am thinking…
about life and how we don’t know how long we have on this earth. Losing my son has shown me how fragile life is. But it also helps me see how I need to be present in every moment, to find the beauty, to keep creating and living as best I can.
I am thankful…
for the 29 years we did have with my son. His life touched all of ours and has left some lasting memories. To help me in giving thanks each day I started a gratitude journal in November. That one was finished and I’ve started another one.
I copy a verse from my daily reading, then write a haiku, then share what I am thankful for. Here is my latest page:
One of my favorite things…
is being outside on a sunny day, walking around enjoying creation. Today was such a day, and I took several pictures.
I am creating…
I am enjoying watercolor painting so much. It’s a great way to relax and have fun. Here is one of my latest paintings:
I am wearing…
a flowered pullover in shades of light and dark blue with designs of flowers and some tiny sparkles sewed into the front top. Jeans are my go to pants and slippers are on my feet. I’m wearing tiny pink earrings in the shape of hearts.
I am reading…
We just finished A GRIEF OBSERVED, by C. S. Lewis. It was helpful to see the stages of grief as he described them. I’m also reading in the book of Psalms every day and find wisdom and comfort there.
I am hoping…
to open an Etsy shop or find some other way to make some of my artwork available for purchase. I have a variety of photos, paintings, poetry on photos, bookmarks and other ideas in the making. It could be a small source of extra income.
I am learning…
to live life without my son, Stephen. I’m finding I have more free time, but I would give it up to be able to spend time with him again. But God gives comfort in many ways – through friends, through scripture and through my writing and art. I’m learning to move forward, but never forgetting the place my son holds in our hearts.
In my kitchen…
last night I made a taco casserole, but I changed it up a little bit from the regular recipe. Besides ground beef and black beans I added kidney beans. Since I did not have enough cheddar cheese I added what was left of the shredded parmesan cheese. It turned out very tasty.
In my garden…
there is not much growing right now. Some lingering parsley that I probably should harvest. I hope to have the garden squares prepared sooner this year and be more organized with my time in the garden.
Post Script
I want to share with you a poem that my son, Stephen, wrote in June of 2018. It expresses how the heart tune can change so easily, yet shows how important it is to keep love alive.
Song of the Heart
Why does the tune of the heart change so uncontrollably?
One moment a lullaby, the next moment a roar,
One moment a dirge, the next moment a jig,
Now a hymn, now an outcry, now a laugh, now a growl.
Why, O Heart, do you confuse me so?
God, fill me with love, so it will shine through no matter the tune.
When the things I hold dear begin to crumble, empower me to stay true,
And to embody love every moment, even if it would disappear from the world around me.
~Stephen James Wright~
11/25/1990 – 11/30/2019
Shared Quote
Sorrow, however, turns out to be not a state but a process……Grief is like a long valley, a winding valley where any bend may reveal a totally new landscape. ~C. S. Lewis~ from A GRIEF OBSERVED
A moment from my day…
Here is another photo from my walk outside today. My dogs were really enjoying basking in the sun.
Closing Notes
I hope you’ve enjoyed going through a day with me. I’d love to hear what you are up to. Share if you’d like in the comments.
One other project I finished this month was a crocheted slouchy textured beanie hat. It was fun to be crocheting again. I’m working on mittens to go with it.
Psalm 90:14(CSB)
Satisfy us in the morning with your faithful love so that we may shout with joy and be glad all our days.
If you are interested in linking up with the Simple Woman’s Daybook, you can find Peggy’s guidelines HERE. I’m also linking up with: #InspireMeMonday
Dear Gayl, thank you so much for giving us this beautiful glimpse into your day. What a precious poem from your dear son, Stephen. His words express so much truth and depth of feeling. I continue to pray for you daily that the Lord will bring you His own comfort as you navigate through this valley of grief. I have read that book by C.S. Lewis and agree with you that it is such a helpful book for the journey. Please continue to share your creativity and art with all of us. You are such a comfort to us as you share the comfort that you have been given. Much love and hugs to you my dear poet/sister/friend. xoxo
Dear Bettie, thank you so much for all your prayers and encouragement. You have been a comfort to me during this time. I appreciate your friendship and love. I pray God will bless you and continue to shine through you. Blessings, love and hugs to you, my dear sister/poet/friend. xoxo
Beautiful, my friend! Continued prayers for you and your family! (and writing down the name of that C.S. Lewis book!)
Thank you so much, dear friend. We appreciate your prayers. I will keep your family in my prayers, too. We’ve both had great losses. Yes, that book is really good. Blessings and hugs to you! xo
I love CS Lewis!!
Yes, he was a wise man and left us lots of good words to read. Blessings to you, dear Tara! xo
Beautiful, Gayl. I love seeing a photo of you. The Scriptures are precious and Stephen’s poem such a gift. Lay up your treasures in heaven was in my reading today. That’s what Stephen was doing as he penned that poem.
Such godly wisdom flowed from his pen. I read today that our eyes being clear means that there are no folds, that there is no duplicity. I see that in Stephen’s and your words: a cry for the Word to light your path before you: to give you an undivided heart in Him. For the Word to be your eyes. May God continue to surround you in love and encouragement, lifting you up on eagle’s wings as you put your hope in Him. Love you xxx
Thank you, dear Anna. I agree that God gave Stephen a gift in his writing and he did have such wisdom, beyond his years. Thank you so much for your thoughts and your encouragement and prayers. Much love to you, dear friend! xoxoxo
I love these posts, so real and honest and touching. Thank you so much for sharing your life and your heart. May the Lord continue to comfort in your grief and give you strength and peace!
Cheryl, thank you for your kind words of encouragement. I’m so thankful for friends who do pray and offer comfort. Blessings and love to you, friend! xoxo
I’m so sorry about the loss of your son, Gayl. I can’t even imagine how difficult that would be. But I love how you allowing your grief to pour out in paint strokes, haiku, walking in the beautiful woods outside your door, blogging and remembering your wonderful son. All such healing ways to grieve! And I love C.S. Lewis but have never read that book. I’ll have to check it out! I’ll be praying for you, my friend. Hugs!
Thank you, dear Beth. Yes, all these ways you mentioned have been so healing for me and continue to be so. In that book C. S. Lewis is painfully honest, questioning and struggling, but it all brings him back to an even stronger faith in God. It’s a great book. Thank you for your prayers. Blessings, love and hugs to you, dear friend!
Thank you for this meaningful glimpse into your day, Gayl. You inspire me with your determination to keep clinging to thankfulness in the midst of the grieving process. I love your painting and thankfulness page. Your son’s poem brings tears. What beautiful, encouraging words in the midst of his pain and his deep desire to be filled with love and to embody it every moment, no matter what the circumstances are. Such a precious memory for you and your family, too. Did he write more poems? As you share this, he is still speaking love to us all. Thank you. Love and blessings of strength to you!
Thank you for your kind words and encouragement, Trudy. I’m so glad you enjoyed my son’s poem. Yes, he had written a few more. He also has some blog posts and some short stories and some fantasy stories. I plan to compile his non-fiction works and his brothers plan to finish and try to publish some of his stories. I love your thought that he is still speaking love to us though he is not with us. His words are part of our good memories of him. Love and blessings to you, dear Trudy! xo
Your sons poem is beautiful and really touched my heart. I’m sorry for your loss and know you will find comfort in God’s Word. The Book of Psalm is a wonderful place to spend time during sorrowful times. Enjoyed the pictures taken on your walk and the beanie is so cute. I also think you are very talented with your watercolors, hope you do get an etsy up and running!
Mary, thank you so much for you words of encouragement. Yes, my son was quite the writer and thinker. We miss him terribly, but reading his words and remembering him really helps. And yes, Psalms is such a wonderful place to find encouragement. There is sorrow in the Psalms, but then it turns around to joy when the psalmist remembers who God is and what He does. Thank you for your compliment on my watercolor painting and your encouragement for the Etsy shop. Blessings to you!
What a beautiful poem your son wrote. Reading your story in this Daybook made my eyes watery. I’m sorry to hear about your loss. I pray God’s Word continue to be a comfort to you and your family. (((HUGS))) Thank you for stopping by and commenting on my blog.
Tajuana, thank you so much for your encouragement. I don’t know what I would do without God’s comfort during this time. I know my son is with Jesus and now he is happy and without pain.. Thanks for visiting and for your prayers. Blessings to you!