We just got a new kitten two weeks ago! She brings us so much love and joy too. I thank the Lord for her every day!

I think it sounds wonderful that you are choosing joy. We can only do it through Jesus's strength. We all know how difficult life is and how the enemy wants to rob us of all joy and he does a good job of it. Jesus says Rejoice. There are ups and downs and each day is different.

Enjoy the new puppy!

Givingup, that's great! I've also decided to focus on joy. I spent time walking along my beloved river, have been going out for coffee with more friends, decided to learn to play piano, and have started public speaking again. The busyness is good, but I find that because I'm reaching out to others, even in my quiet times I'm more at peace.

Absolutely - we can find joy if we look. We don't have a pet, but we have lots of interaction with friends and neighbors and love our church, our small group, helping at Celebrate Recovery and sitting on our deck watching Nature.

We have to stop blaming ourselves and realize we are worthy of joy and good things in our lives. We are considering selling our home (duplex) and finding a home just for us that we can purchase, furnish and decorate. Then I want to adopt a puppy because I have been thinking that would bring so much enjoyment. The thing I have to read about is that we have a cat and see if it is possible to introduce and have the two coexist. So glad you found your joy.

Yep, I"m cleaning house and making everything lite so we can move and start over. I want a do-over!! My furbabies are loyal and faithful and love me no matter what.. I cant imagine life without love, and one thing for sure, they are love on 4 paws!

Where's the like button...LOL!! So many good posts on here to encourage us all to find outlets for our needs as mother's to "nurture and love" or to "focus on joy!" Canadianmother I like that! For so often I do let my focus be on the extreme losses in my life, and the "what if's."

Givingupcontrol, I must share with you that had it not of been for a little Cairn Terrier (Toto on Wizard of OZ was one of these) and an sweet old pug, my DH and I would have laid down and died of broken hearts long ago when the Estrangements began. But these dear little dogs needed us, we were all they had to keep them safe and loved and we could not bear the thought of them falling into the hands of strangers if we were not here to look after them and so time after time, those little dogs would bring me back to this life for their sake!

Pets are very good therapy for hurting hearts! Not a silly idea at all!!

I so agree with you lostall3!

LIKE! :D

My little Bichon pup is always making me smile! We have to go on living in the positive and thank God every day for these blessings He gives us. Adopting my dog was the best therapy I've had for over 4 years now.

Joy comes after a time of grieving. It's possible to keep going and God knows how to help us do this. He created those cats and dogs...and it helps to keep our minds off of our troubles.

So glad you have you new furry friend to love.

Amen to that, sadmad! our furbabies give us unconditional love!

Yep, love my kitties, anyone listening to me talk to them would call me a crazy cat lady, but I will wear that title proudly....they give me so much love, I am so thankful. We have moved to a new city and I feel more joy being here and away from the house that we raised the kids in with all the memories. We have started a new chapter. I still struggle with the loss, but like you said givingupcontrol...our EC need to know we can still feel joy...they don't control us!!

That's my plans, grandmama, is to move away from this area and start new. That way if people say do you have children, I can say yes, he is married and lives so and so, and not any other information. Here that black cloud hangs over my head, and we were new here when this all happened so people do not know how it was before or how my son was raised, or how close we were. It is easy to believe I must be a monster. One mother told me she never heard of this and she has 7 kids.. Yeah, thanks for that knife..lucky you! YOu must have done something right and I must have asked for tihs.. Oh pooey!

Good post. I agree where is the 'like' button. Blessings

Paws41t, people who say stuff like that to you... well, God will deal with them. Estrangement is SOOOOO painful that I fully believe that anyone who adds additional pain with thoughtless comments will have to answer to God for that one day.

We did everything "right" raising our daughter and she turned her back on it all. "Statistically impossible" as my mom says for our income bracket and my daughter's upbringing. Guess what? It happens.... Yes, like we signed up for this!!!

I have to guard against the bitterness some days more than others. It's like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die....

Going to play with my sweet puppies now! ha!

Thank you for your kind words, givingupcontrol.. They mean a lot to me. (hugs)
Your "I have to guard against the bitterness some days more than others. It's like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die...." is said perfect! That is a statement that needs to head a forum!

I've got my sweet furbabies bathed now to trim them! They are so much love and comfort..

Thank you again.. (hugs)