“A bicycle stands in the road in Tajikistan where two American cyclists were killed over the weekend.”
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
Psalm 147:3 NIV
Now that the news has been widely disseminated, I can share more about my friend’s son who was tragically killed over the weekend. Perhaps you have seen the story on the news. Jay Austin and his partner, Lauren Geoghegan, were the two American cyclists killed in Tajikistan over the weekend. They had just completed their first year riding their bikes and living a life most can’t even imagine.
“Jay Austin in January, cycling in Spain during a year-long bike adventure.” Family photo from internet
“What do you do when the unthinkable really happens to someone you know?”
Everyone thinks their grief is the worst grief ever…because it is theirs. This is legitimate because it is YOU that is dealing with it, YOU that has lost your person. It’s hard to imagine it being any worse than it is…at least, at first it is. After some time, you begin to hear stories of other’s loss and you begin to see where they have gone through much worse things. This doesn’t negate your experience at all. But it does give you incredible empathy for others who are struggling.
“Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble.”
1 John 2:10 NIV
She sat in front of me in class. We were sophomores...our first year in a huge high school where several classes from various junior highs commingled. We didn’t know each other...yet.
We were wearing handmade dresses that day, much like the one pictured here. They were both made from a waffle weave fabric of white daisies with yellow centers on a hot pink background. Very “mod”. Very “flower power”. Very chic, I’m sure.
“Finding peace after losing Mr. Virgo is deeper and sweeter than anything I could have imagined.”
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.”
2 Thessalonians 3:16 NIV
As I sat thinking over what I would write about for today’s post, the word “peaceful” kept playing over and over in my mind. It made me think of this photograph that I took when I was living on high ground overlooking the Ohio River three years ago. I was blessed with the opportunity to park my camper up there and would often sit on the deck overlooking this amazing, peaceful scene. On this particular evening, the light was perfect, the sky was stunning, and everything took on a soft glow as the sun was setting. I will never forget my time spent in this beauty as I healed from the grief of losing Mr. Virgo. It was a time of testing my mettle, as well. I found inner strength I never knew I had as I lived in that camper through a particularly rough winter with no running water and up to a foot-and-a-half of snow at times.
I look back on that period of my life and compare it to where I am today and it never ceases to amaze me how different things are now. I have the privilege of caretaking for the family farm. I have this wonderful man in my life who brings me joy every day. I have the ability to travel to see my Colorado family. I have my campers. I still own too much “stuff” but I’m happy with my life as it is.
“Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.”
Psalm 71:9 NIV
Ok, I turned 65 in June. No big deal. Got my Medicare card, which is UBER cool. I get discounts (when I remember to ask for them). But that’s the thing...I don’t remember to ask for them. Because, I’m NOT a senior citizen. How could that be remotely possible?
Oh, but it is. I looked it up. Google says…in many different places…that you reach senior citizen status when you turn 65. It’s pretty standard because that’s when you start receiving Medicare benefits. At least, for now you do. Uncertainty aside, I rebel at that “senior citizen” label. That’s for “old” people. Right? That’s what I used to think, anyway.
“One day’s harvest of fresh tomatoes! I couldn’t grow this many in a whole season in Colorado!”
“Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.”
Genesis 1:29 NIV
This is one of the very best things about West Virginia. You can grow just about anything here. The growing season is long, there’s plenty of rain, and the soil is rich. Our tomato plants are producing faster than we can eat these tasty morsels from God. I sent this picture to my son-in-law’s dad yesterday. Ben struggles over his garden, tending his plants with loving care, only to see them be destroyed by drought, hail, and vermin over and over. Sue said the picture would just make him sad.
I remember gardening in Colorado. I lost a 2,000 square foot garden to frost on June 23rd one year. I’ve stood inside and watched hail turn my garden into something akin to chopped salad in minutes, leaving nothing but sticks behind. I’ve watch as deer, squirrels, and raccoons snack on my veggies like it’s the salad bar at Shoney’s. It’s terribly disheartening. That’s why I started frequenting farmer’s markets and produce stands. I get the fruits and veggies I want and the farmer gets the money in his/her pocket.
“The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”
Psalm 121:7-8 NIV
Seriously, could someone tell me how it takes twelve hours to get from Point A to Point B when it’s only a two hour and sixteen minute flight???
First off, I didn’t sleep much. You know how it is when you KNOW you have to get up for something really important and you just CAN’T oversleep so you set your alarm and then wake up every thirty minutes to make SURE the alarm is set and you haven’t overslept? Yeah…that was me. I finally gave up at 3:30 and read my devotional till the alarm went off at 4:30. It’s already going to be a long day.
“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.”
Psalm 37:23-24 NIV
It is time. Three weeks ago, the time for my visit stretched long before me. And, in the blink of an eye...it is gone. Today I travel home to West Virginia. Goodbyes are always so bittersweet. Oh, how I miss my babies...big and little. How I miss my brother and the rest of my Colorado family and friends. How I miss being nearby and stopping to visit with Mr. Virgo whenever I want. But it can’t be helped. There are so many reasons why I don’t live in Colorado anymore.
The main impetus that led my move to West Virginia was two-fold. Economics made Colorado far out of my housing budget and caring for an elderly family member in my home state seemed appropriate. If I would have known that endeavor would have only last ten weeks, I likely would have done things differently. I may have kept my Colorado house and rented it out. I may not have purchased such a big camper. I may have more evenly split my time between Colorado and West Virginia. But, hindsight being 20/20, it is what it is and I wouldn’t have changed a thing if I could.
““You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:14-16 NIV
“Everybody’s got tsuris.” So said the late Rose Saliman, my younger daughter’s great grandmother and namesake. Everyone has problems. Everyone has garbage they drag through their lives, adding heaping helpings from here and there till they can hardly move along their path, let alone enjoy it. And when you can finally move away from that, when you unload your baggage and stop dragging it around with you, it’s not only a beautiful thing. It’s a blessed relief.
I had lunch with Daughter #2 yesterday. My children and grandchildren are the lights of MY world. It’s nice when they make me feel like a star in their sky. My younger daughter is doing well. She has found her stride. She has found her people. She is happy. That wasn’t always the case. She has struggled all of her life feeling “different”. It wasn’t until the last few years she has been able to put a name to that and grow into who she really is. I saw a peace and joy in her eyes yesterday that I’m not sure I have ever seen before. And that thrills this mom to no end.
“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.””
Isaiah 40:8 NIV
Yesterday was as near a perfect day as I can get without being with Mr. FixIt. My son-in-law’s parents...Ben & Sue...are the most gracious people on the planet. My daughter hit the lottery when it comes to her husband and his family. When I come to Colorado, I stay at the in-law’s house. There’s more room and more privacy. When the kids are busy, Ben and Sue and I hang out. We have our coffee together every morning that I’m not off galavanting around. We often eat dinner together and I always take them out a time or two for dinner...my treat.
“A bicycle stands in the road in Tajikistan where two American cyclists were killed over the weekend.”
“Jay Austin in January, cycling in Spain during a year-long bike adventure.” Family photo from internet
“What do you do when the unthinkable really happens to someone you know?”
“We were SO fashionable, back in the day!”
“Finding peace after losing Mr. Virgo is deeper and sweeter than anything I could have imagined.”
“7 Tips for Seniors. Am I a SENIOR???”
“One day’s harvest of fresh tomatoes! I couldn’t grow this many in a whole season in Colorado!”
“Sunrise in Colorado”
“Goodbyes are always bittersweet.”
“You are the light of the world.”
“Love these cowgirl boots but they’re too small!)
“Antiquing is one of my favorite things to do.”