WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS OF FAITH Community Group

A place where people of faith may freely discuss issues of grief from a faith based perspective.

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tim57 11/21/2016

Thanksgiving is upon us again. For some it is either the first, second, third or more we will go thru without our spouses with us. For me the second time. It is in one way easier but another harder. The first time I was still in shock and just moving thru life without even thinking. Going thru the motions as they say. This second time it's setting in that this really is permanent. Linda is gone to heaven and the next time I see her will be when it's my time to go home. So it's the waiting and rebuilding this life until then that's the trick to it all. And even though it will be a hard road as it is with us all I will, by the grace and the promise of God, be shown a way thru.

But I wanted to just focus upon the word Thanksgiving. Mainly the first word, thanks. It means so much. Just that one word. I have used it more times this last year than ever my whole life. Anytime I start gettig into a dark place or let myself start to worry or become anxious about, what about tommorow? I start thanking God for all things. I thank Him for all the blessings I recieve each and every day. There isn't a need I have He doesn't provide for. I thank Him for providing a way for me to replace my car several months ago when I didn't see any way. To heal my finances the way He has. To give me the strength to get up and go to work. To have the patients to keep working with the violent kids I work with. And so many others. And the one word thanks doesn't seem enough. Doesn't seem powerful enough, but for God it is so powerful when we just simply tell Him thank you for blessing me with all things. It's enough for Him.

And even though this is the worse pain I have ever endured, the one thing I am most thankful for from Him, is the love I recieved from my wife Linda. For the blessing of having her for my wife the years He allowed us to have together. The priveledge of being her husband.

And so this Thanksgiving I wish to send up a special thank you to heaven. And say thank you Linda for giving me your trust, your love and your heart to keep in safe keeping. And even though I will keep moving forward I will for ever keep you in that special place in my heart that can only be for you.

Take care all.

Peace, Tim

gerald222 11/21/2016

Tim gratitude is one of the key ways to heal. The day I could stop focusing on the loss and be grateful for the life shared my life shifted. That said we must allow ourselves to cry and grieve first because we are human and we miss them. Happy Thanksgiving!

onebrokenheart 11/21/2016

I can hardly believe this will be the fourth Thanksgiving since Don transitioned. His earthly birthday was earlier in the month and I could hardly believe he would have been 70 this year. In some ways it seems like just maybe a year ago not almost four whole years. As I reflect back I see that coming full circle with my feelings and finding the things I was thankful for was what really helped me through the grieving. First I was grateful he was no longer suffering in pain. Then I was grateful for the life we shared. That he had found sobriety. That he was so strong and somehow transferred so much of his strength to me. He helped me in understanding the world and the people in it. He helped me in my progression of faith and he helped me find serenity. What a beautiful soul that shared my life. He was not perfect but he was perfect. I think you know what I mean. I thank God that after a life full of emotional pain my Donald came to me with gentleness, peace and laughter. I needed to experience what my faith told me existed and I am so thankful I had that with him. Thank you Donald, I love you. Thank you God.
Blessings to all, happy Thanksgiving.
Cheryl

cgriff4ever 11/21/2016

I am grateful, that despite my husbands passing, that there have been people brought into my life, who will be here, rather in person, on the phone, or in thought, of how much they have helped, changed, and loved me.. My husband would be very happy, that I am not sitting around sulking, depressed all the time, and am in fact, living until we meet again. Keeping my heart, mind, and spirit open... listening much more openly, and learning, to be patient, have faith, and know that as sean would always say, "It'll all work out in the end". In the end, he is in a better place, no more suffering, no more worry, and he is in perfect health now, with our lord jesus. Happy Thanksgiving to all, and many blessings for more healing as each day passes, for each of us. Much love and big hugs carla

icezam19 12/03/2016

Gratitude is strength.
Almost a year after Bill died, I attended a GriefShare group and we were asked to look through magazines and cut out pictures and/or words.......for which we were thankful.....to be mounted on a poster board. I resented this "dumb exercise". But played along. Surprise.............that poster board helped me to begin healing. I cut out a picture of a pillow, a flower, a cookie, and a cup of coffee. And the words "children" "love" "hope" "dog" There were still things for which I could be thankful. Most of all, I recognized how grateful I was for the life Bill and I shared. It's been 6 years and I am very grateful to the Lord for the life I had.....and for the life He gives me now.

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