“I thought I could describe a state; make a map of sorrow. Sorrow, however, turns out to be not a state but a process.”
~ C.S. Lewis, A Grief Observed
Thank you all for the beautiful outpouring of prayers and condolences for my brother and my whole family.
How does one follow a post like the one below? I just don't know. The way you get through grief is to just let it come when it will and then try to keep going, I guess. I really don't know. So... this is me, trying to keep going. Because as much as we would like life to just stop and wait for us to catch up, it's not like that, is it?
Jessica T. has a wonderful post on celebrating baptismal days today and I must admit, it's something that's been a nagging failure in the back of my mind. Other than writing the dates on the calendar and hearing someone say, "Oh, Happy Baptismal Day!", we've never really given much thought to the days. Well, this morning I sent the kids Papa Francesco's homework assignment and dug out all of their candles from their keepsake boxes, even Sean's. I can't find mine though :(. We'll see what we are inspired to do from here forward.
Having my husband home has given me time to nurture him with delicious breakfasts and lunches. He is typically a bring-something-quick-and-easy-that-he-can-eat-at-his-desk-while-he-drinks-his-coffee kind of guy. This week, I made him some Creamy Chicken Potato Leek Soup with roasted butternut squash "croutons". The soup was leftover from dinner the night before, I did not make it fresh. The "croutons" were not crispy (don't they look like little toasty croutons?)… but very flavorful and filling.
I've joined Miss Cari's Quilts of Valor project so I started watching some videos learning new stitches. It's been a long time since I embroidered anything but I think this service project is just the thing to focus on right now. The design options are pretty free and open ended, just something patriotic. I'm thinking I'd like to do something that reflects my grandfather's military service. Time to do a little family history project. Did you know that you can request the military records of a deceased veteran? I'd love to find out all that my Pawpaw did in the war, not just what he told us he did. This would probably take too long for Cari's project, it would be faster to call my Granny, but it's a neat idea.
Call Granny! I'm certain she'd love to tell you all about it. I need you to link to the soup and crouton recipes as I just finished my last TARDIS cookie. Praying for safe travels and peace for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteThe soup I kind of made up from this recipe. I'll try to write out what I did differently. And the "croutons" were just butternut squash cubes tossed with olive oil and salt and roasted at 450 degrees for about 30 minutes.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures, Charlotte. I'm impressed that Sean still has his baptismal candle!
ReplyDeleteContinued prayers, Charlotte, continued prayers. God bless you all!
ReplyDeleteI always have great intentions to get out the candles and clothing on the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus, but it's only happened a few times. I think putting the anniversaries on the calendar is a great idea, especially since technology allows events to appear every year! Your candles are so pretty, and so are your stitches!
ReplyDeletePS continuing to remember your family in prayer. Grief is a process, and we can't predict how we will live it.
DeleteThank you, dear Barbara! Do you have any preferred resources for embroidery?
DeleteFor learning or purchasing supplies? For free online help, I love Mary Corbet's Needle 'n Thread!
DeleteThank you for reminding me about Baptismal Days, DUH!! Praying for you and your family :) The soup looks delish!
ReplyDeleteMe again, I forgot to include the link to an award I gave you today: http://www.sweetness-n-light.com/2014/01/sunshiny-day.html Play along if you have the time or energy :)
ReplyDeletexxoo
Your family has been in my prayers for your loss this side of Heaven. I also wanted to say thank you for making your coloring pages available for families. My children look forward to them every feast day, because I do not have a creative bone in my body!
ReplyDeleteOn baptism days (and feast days) here, you get out of school and chores. :) That's much anticipated! You also get to pick dinner/dessert, whatever you want, which has resulted in some funny meals from the younger set. They get a small giftie, usually some sort of small religious item and goodie or two. I rarely think to set the candles out. Praying for your family and for your travels.
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