Good Medicine

My sister Amy had the quote that best captures the reality of Gunga being gone. She was talking about her reaction in the moments that my Mom was dying. She said "I wigged out...and I may never wig back in."

Amen, sister. I truly may never "wig back in", but I am trying to engage in the life God has for me. One thing that means is being a baseball mom for the first time ever. Jack is thrilled that he gets to be on a baseball team this summer...
Last weekend was the first time I was able to go to a game and it was good medicine to sit with friends and watch my boy live out his dream. Lulu was exhausted...
And Tate wasn't feelin' the crazy pix...

(Could have been because he was sitting in a baby stroller)

But Jack, true to form, had a blast...
He forgot the belt for his hand-me-down pants, so he demonstrated his ability to multi-task as he ran while holding up his pants...
That's our boy!

We also found comfort in going to one of our favorite places in the world, Gunga and Granddaddy's lake cabin to celebrate cousin Willy's 20th birthday...

(Willy and his sister Sarah. Aren't they adorable??)

It was weird to be there without Gunga, but we know it would bless her for us to continue to make memories there even though she is gone...
Lulu is sporting the French Riviera look, as you can see.

We are engaging regularly in Pool Therapy...
Bill is working from home right now, so I put Lulu down for a nap in the afternoons and the older three and I often head to the pool. They are all water safe, so I am free to visit with friends, journal, read, cry, or just take a little nap. All while soaking in the harmful UV rays. I join them for playtime now and then and, if cajoled, I will do an awkward dive off the diving board for them. However embarrassing, for some reason, they revel in my quirkiness. We take Lulu sometimes, but those visits are not as relaxing since it seems to be her main goal to drown. Not my idea of a fun time.

I have been overwhelmed by the kindness of friends during this time. Having special friends at the Memorial Service held me up when I was feeling weak...
The flowers, notes, calls and comments have lifted my spirits. The providing of meals has allowed me to focus my energy on what I need to do to grieve and to enjoy my family. My friends who cleaned my house, watched the Hairy Beast, and had food waiting in the fridge and freezer brought peace during a time of emotional chaos. These and other acts of kindness have brought us great strength and comfort and have given me specific ideas and strong motivation to serve others in the future who are in need.

On that subject, I have decided what I want to be when I grow up. I want to be like Angela (center)...
She came to visit my sister and mom and to help Georgie, who was helping care for my Mom. Little did any of us know that my Mom would go downhill so drastically during that time. Angela took over completely in the kitchen. She took over without any of us feeling like she was "taking over". She made amazing meals from things she scrounged up in the freezer. She did dishes. She did laundry. She cleaned the house when the cleaning ladies were too grieved over my Mom's condition to do so. She ran to Walgreen's in her jammies at 3:30am. A diet coke would suddenly appear in my hand just when I needed it. Angela. You can see why she has ANGEL in her name..."Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?" (Hebrews 1:14). God gave her eyes to see what needed to be done and she did it joyfully with a ministering spirit to our family. I want to be able to serve others tirelessly with the same kind of initiative and sweetness as God gives me opportunity.

All these sweet activities and blessings with family and friends are good medicine for a grieving heart. But ultimately, I know that my greatest comfort is in the One from whom all these blessings flow.

"May your unfailing love by my comfort, according to your promise to your servant."
Psalm 119:76