iPraiseHim

Nine years ago today, Rose Anne, you transitioned from Earth to Heaven. I still miss you every day. I look forward to the day when we can rejoice together. Shalom (Peace)

Merry Christmas!

Life update: my hernia surgery was performed on November 7th as an outpatient. There was some issue with the anesthesia given as my oxygen levels kept dropping down to 85%. The recovery went fairly well with just a few hiccups. The swelling from the scrotal hernia has reduced to about half the size as before. I am told it may take a while to return to normal. The most interesting beneficial side effect of this surgery is that my appetite is about half of what it used to be. The hunger signals are much diminished and I am still slowly slimming down. I just managed to get over a cold/flu this week that is traveling around.  Shalom(Peace).

Life Update:

On August 22nd I had a tooth extraction that developed a dry socket. Intense pain for two weeks. It took six weeks for it to heal and I finally got approval to get my much-delayed hernia surgery. It will be outpatient, on November 7th. Surgery time is expected 2.5 hours. I have been preparing and planning for this for a while. The surgery was delayed for several years because of the Pandemic.  I'm looking forward to healing and recovery. I am still working full-time professionally cleaning homes. And trying to take some time out to just enjoy the day. It's been over eight and a half years since my beloved wife, Rose Anne, died. Life keeps marching forward... one day at a time. I'm thankful to be able to help others with their Diabetes/metabolic issues, and people dealing with Grief and Healing. I so appreciate our community here and how we are able to listen, share, and support each other. Shalom(Peace)

On 8/2/2023 at 1:32 PM, Novi said:

I never felt comfortable writing letters to my loved ones. It always feels off. I was going to just write this thread in first person but then I wrote it to my mom so it's sort of like a letter I guess. What do people usually do with the letters they write? You did give me an idea though, I'm going to work on it today.

I write to my beloved wife and to God. They are saved and encrypted on my computer. They are my thoughts and feelings. It helps me to get them out of my head and on electronic notes that I can release. It helps me and gives me Peace. May you find the method that works best for you.  - Shalom (Peace)

1 minute ago, weaksoul said:

Dear iPraiseHim, thank you for the pearls of wisdom. I hope to absorb them in and live them. However, for me the hurt is in the my memories. I am trying to keep them off as far as possible. Any advice, please? Best Regards!

At the beginning of this grief, I was encouraged to get plenty of rest and take care of my body with healthy food, water, and movement. I also started a daily journal for my beloved wife and wrote out the thoughts and feelings I was experiencing. Grief is love that cannot be expressed as clearly as when our beloved is with us. I read everything I could here in this forum that Marty and many others provide here. There is a wealth of wisdom and compassionate support. Also, try and connect with a local grief group in your area if that resource is available. Shalom(Peace)

6 hours ago, weaksoul said:

I am getting crushed thinking about futuristic/unrealistic scenarios. Can someone please guide me it? I am thinking how I am going to live through all these years with so much loneliness and pain. I know you have already provided me guidance on it but I just couldn't hold my emotions hence expressing it out here. 

I have learned to live in today. I don't know what the future holds but I know who holds my future. I strive to remember the great memories my wife and I shared each day. I memorized Phil 4:6-8 and strive to apply it each day. Shalom(Peace)

Weaksoul: There is always Hope and a Future! I came to this Forum over eight years ago to search for answers and relief from the pain and loss of my beloved wife, Rose Anne. The pain and grief was so intense and seemed like it would never lessen. This beautiful group listened to my woes, supported and cared for me in a special way since they know and experience this type of loss. I was in "Shock and Awe" for quite a while. We learn to move forward each day. Over time this intensity will lessen. Many of us feel like we will not measure up to the task yet we learn somehow.  Share, write, journal, etc... I wrote private letters to my wife and prayed for God's comfort and guidance on this journey. You are not alone. God will never leave you or forsake you. My prayers are simple. "Lord help me". Just as you help your children when they ask for help. My prayers and intercession are with you brother. Shalom(Peace)

Today is my Birthday. This is the ninth one since Rose Anne died.  Time marches on.  My friend invited me out for dinner last evening and my sister tomorrow. I am thankful I am still able to work and keep up my home. I count my blessings each day. Keep on keeping on. Shalom (Peace be with you)

Thirty-five years ago today, I met Rose Anne... Sweet memory.  Shalom(Peace)

Eight years ago today, Rose Anne, you transitioned from Earth to Heaven. I still miss you every day. I look forward to the day when we can rejoice together. Shalom (Peace)

Fourteen years ago, on this day, my brother(Patrick) died at the age of fifty from walking pneumonia in his sleep. He was only 50. Rest in Peace, brother.  Shalom

On 12/21/2022 at 10:56 AM, Margm said:

I sympathize.  Grandson won awards for his paintings.  I wonder if he can still paint.  My son used to think he had a huge gift if he could buy the paints, wood panels and canvases.  Perhaps without the drugs, he has lost his desire to paint.  He goes to work at VA and is steady.  If his talent was fueled with drugs, I prefer him as he is, but I remember a time when he painted because he is an artist.  I can only hope and pray.  Mama used to say to my magical mind "if wishes were horses, beggars would ride."  My mother-in-law said "wish in one hand and _____ in the other and see which one fills up the fastest."  Reality.  I wish your family luck.  Our temperatures for Friday are supposed to be 24 and 13.  We do not acclimate to such lows.  Y'all would think you had a heat spell.   

My Dad said the same phrase. It is a an extreme cold snap here as well. The lowest in twenty three years.. low 15*F. It is about thirty degrees below normal for this time of year. Merry Christmas Margm

Merry Christmas everyone! Shalom(Peace)

Happy Anniversary, Rose Anne.  I fondly remember our wedding day and the many anniversaries each year. Shalom(Peace)

Happy Thanksgiving! Shalom(Peace)

On 10/12/2022 at 5:47 PM, Marg M said:

... Billy will be gone seven years Monday.  We just KOKO as best we can.

I remember. It has been over seven years since Rose Anne died. Most people hardly remember. I will never forget. The intense grief does less over time but the void is still there. A missing part... incomplete...  no longer whole. We learn to live each day with it along with the rest of our days. Much has happened since our helpmate departed yet we continue to press forward each day.  My heart and prayers go with you Marg M.  We continue to travel this journey each day until we are called home. We may not understand this process but know that each of us have touched each others lives in significant ways. Few people genuinely understand the survivors of this type of grief.  Shalom(Peace)

Happy July 4th,

I watched this today which summarizes this grief and healing journey. A wise woman who shares what we travel each day. the title," Living without the one you cannot live without"  caught my attention.   I have not reached my "new normal" yet. I'm not sure that is possible. Yet, I press forward towards the mark set before me. - Shalom (Peace)

Checking in... My birthday was on Tuesday (24th) and I spent  a good evening with my sister and her husband. We went out to a Mexican restaurant for dinner and she made me a carrot cake( Mom's home family recipe). I am fortunate to still be able to work and take care of myself. June 1st, it will be five years since i committed to follow a very low-carb lifestyle. I have managed to reverse my diabetes and put it in remission. I have also shed 190 lbs and have kept it off for over three years.

Life always has its challenges. I call them "wrinkles" that need to be iron out. Lot's of drama when my mobile cell phone carrier was bought out by Verizon. They are forcing us to convert to their system(Sim) card by "interrupting" service until we "volunteer" to convert... This too shall pass. There is no customer or company loyalty anymore.

I have noticed that everything is polarized to cause us to be divided, separated, and off balanced. Instilling fear keeps us from making logical decisions based on facts and experience. Even the news, social media, etc.. is being steered in a certain direction.  Most people are not awake or aware of what is the Truth. As for me, I will continue to follow Peace and keep pressing forward towards the mark set before me.

May is a month full of memories, Day I met Rose Anne, Her birthday, my birthday, my Mom's, Mother's Day, My sister's birthday (today), and MY parents wedding anniversary (today).  June is my dad's birthday, day he died, and Father's Day. With great memories we also have moments of grief and remembrance. I'm still searching for the healing part of this recovery.  Take care my friends. - Shalom(Peace)

Happy Birthday, Rose Anne - Shalom(Peace)

Checking in... Time marches on!

I'm fortunate to be able to continue work professionally cleaning homes and businesses for over 24 years. I believe the physical aspects of my career have improved my health. I continue to follow a very low-carb lifestyle for almost five years. I have shed over 180lbs, kept it off for over three years, and put my diabetes in remission. I have been managing a Face Book group serving the Diabetes community. 

I hope there is more conversation/ interaction for us longer term survivors dealing with both grief and healing. Initially, I couldn't imagine dealing with this grief for such a profound loss of my beloved wife, Rose Anne. Life is definitely different. I appreciate all that Marty has given us on this forum and pray there will be more positive, encouraging recovery sharing. - Shalom(Peace)

Happy heavenly birthday my beloved Rose Anne. It is seven years since God called you home.  I look forward to the day when we are reunited. I continue to press forward towards the mark set before me. I love you. - Shalom (Peace)

A couple of weeks ago, I had severe cold symptoms (Omicron). I have not been sick in three years. I was ill for a couple of days and back to work. I have some lingering sinus/congestion which is almost resolved. One of my friends just died from complications of Covid last Wednesday. He had some other health issues. His wife found him in the hallway when she woke up. This has triggered all the memories of when I discovered my wife died when I returned home from work. It has been almost seven years but it is still fresh. - Shalom (Peace)

My sister is stable and slowly healing. She is getting plenty of rest. I wish everyone a Merry Christmas! - Shalom (Peace)

1 hour ago, kayc said:

The gov't leaves much to be desired with it's customer service, not only soc sec but also IRS.  Ugh!

 

I'm dealing with this. Money was taken out of my SS retirement with no notice or warning. Called SS and was told it was an IRS action. Repeated calls to IRS and no one answers. Certified letters to IRS with no response. They have all the power and make the rules. However, I am persistent and will continue to pursue this issue. I'm preparing to escalate my efforts to get some resolution.  Never quit or give up. We still have ombudsmen, state/federal representatives, and other resources. Never give up, never give in. It is frustrating yet we can turn that frustration to determination to resolve these issues. - Shalom (Peace)