My husband suffered a disabling stroke just weeks after our 25th anniversary. I had already lost my sister to cancer and my daughter was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. My husband's company had shut down and employment was difficult. I tried to maintain a normal household and worked full time myself. I had just lost 20 lbs and we were talking about getting back on our feet and planning a special trip together now that the youngest was graduating high school. I was devastated when the social worker sat me down at the rehab and said: "you will get through this". After three months of hospital and rehab I was exhausted, working full time and visiting him as well as taking care of a five bedroom home. My daughters were wonderful and helped so much. My son just pulled away and resented my pleas for help. I awoke one morning about 5am and got up to use the bathroom. I was exhausted and as I returned to bed, I fell on my knees and asked God why he was asking so much of me! I prayed to the Blessed Mother for strength to carry on. I cried until I fell asleep on my knees. I felt someone come in and place their hands under my arms, gently helping me into the bed and as I laid my head on the pillow the blankets were lovingly brought to my chin and a hand brushed the hair off my face.. I awoke to my alarm at 7am and tried to remember what happened. I asked my daughters if they had come into my room earlier and each said no, they had been sleeping. I believe it was the Blessed Mother comforting me at a time when I was overwhelmed. I had a similar experience the day after my daughter's funeral. I believe that God is there always and when we need help, He sends comfort to us many times by someone we loved. It is so hard to accept at the moment but your mother's comfort will get you through this. I'm glad you experienced the serenity of that love.

In January 2014:

the first week and a half pulled my back out and couldn't move after the first half of that my adjustable bed went out which made recovery longer and more painful... then a few days after I was back on my feel my 7 year old got the croup... the next week my daughter gets and ear infection... the last week of the month she gets a stomach bug from h. e. double hockey sticks and after staying up all night Saturday with her throwing up and all day Sunday... Monday my 7 year old comes home throwing up so I stay up all night with him... at 4am he throws up on me and at 6am Tuesday I am throwing up, head ach, fever and a stomach ach so bad my 7 year old calls my mom to come over. I remember her getting there and the next thing I remember is waking up at 10pm and her still being there when I ask her why she was still there she tells me she is snowed in...so we are snowed in our house until Friday... I was telling my boss that January 2014 has been the worst so far... THEN as I am sitting at the dinner table with my mom eating the very nice dinner she cooked for us I texted him back and told him I wanted to recant my last statement... it was not the worst month ever it was the best month ever... I was blesses with nearly the whole month of January with my mom... she was there with me nearly the whole month. Time we would not have had together if not for the things we went threw in January...

This winter has certainly been a rough one for sure!

Here in NJ we escaped the PA ice storm, but just by a few miles. The snow, the cloudy days, the kids off from school for holidays, then snow, then the flu -- AAAARRRGHHH!

The only good thing is that Pinky hasn't called much and hasn't come to visit for several weeks. I've actually gotten a lot of housework done - AND enjoyed some weekends!

Looks like more snow for us on Wednesday....