kayc

Mark 12:22-25 And the seven left no offspring. Last of all the woman also died. In the resurrection, when they rise again, whose wife will she be? For the seven had her as wife.” Jesus said to them, “Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God? For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. Matthew 22:28-29 In the resurrection, therefore, of the seven, whose wife will she be? For they all had her.” But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. Luke 20:34-36 And Jesus said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. Romans 7:2 For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage. There is probably much more said in the Bible regarding the subject. There are some things that are hard to understand in our earthly minds, because this is all we know and this is our perspective. But we must trust that the God who is sovereign knows so much more than we do and will do what is best...we have only to trust on the subject. I know the love George and I share, and I know how we clicked from the very beginning and cannot imagine us loving each other any less. While it's true there will be no more sin, hence jealousy, ownership, etc. is done away with, I would think the positive aspects of our relationship, the love, affection, and caring, remain. I have heard this theology all of my life, based on the Bible's teachings, and choose not to concern myself unduly with it as we'll find out once there how it will be and how it will affect us. I believe we will know we were husband and wife and whether or not anyone else recognizes it or not, our love will continue, perhaps in a more perfect way than we know here. I know, it's hard to imagine, isn't it? The one theology that I have heard espoused that I do not find basis for and do not agree with is that our animals do not go to heaven. I have never found any basis for that, and those who are quick to say that animals have no souls, I have not found anything in the Bible stating to the end that they do not go to heaven. Since interpretation of "what is a soul" can be relative to who is answering that, I don't pay much mind to it. I believe with all of my heart that our pets will be there and we will know and be reunited with them as well. There is so much about heaven that we do not know and, to my knowledge, are not told. For instance, what "age" will we appear to be in heaven? A baby that goes to heaven, I would not think would remain a baby for all eternity, so perhaps we are all at some "perfect age", not having arthritis but not requiring growth either? So many things to ponder...and fewer answers. Me, I try not to worry about all of the unknown, accepting that if God is God, He's perfectly capable of working out all of the details.

I didn't know Gardenias were "Honeymoon Flowers" but that doesn't surprise me, they are exotic and beautiful and their fragrance is amazing!

Dan, that is how it was with me too. I always thought I was this really strong person that could survive anything and it would be George who would have a hard time if he lost me...how ill prepared I was for his death! I had no idea how very hard it'd be! We don't know what it'll be like until we are actually facing it.

Harry, So glad you enjoyed the game. And you're so right about home ownership...right after George and I got back from our honeymoon, we were outside at 1:00 a.m. draining the water tank (I have a well and tank) which had become waterlogged...we're out there in our robe and slippers dealing with it when we discovered there was no water. I told him, "Welcome to home ownership!" The next day he was outside in a torrential downpour for HOURS (while I was in the house vomiting, I got sick and they sent me home from work) trying to locate the source of water leakage in the pipes, along with the guy from the well drilling place. It was the funniest thing, I never forgot it, about 4:00 pm the other guy was packing up to go home and George said, "Where do you think you're going! We're not done here yet!" (George could appear very intimidating, he was built like a wrestler) so the other guy stayed until George found the source of the problem and they got it fixed. Yep, welcome to home ownership, indeed!

fae, I feel like a cloud has lifted off your heart and I can feel the relief spread through all of us for you. And how special that you'll have her dog with you too for company! I just feel so much better knowing this! And the gong, that is special too!

How many years has it been since Ben broke up with you? It seems communication was lacking between you, not uncommon for Aspergers. Are you getting help with that? I don't know any way over someone other than to fill your life with other good things...people and activities. I know that it hurts for a very long time, but I also know that dwelling on it can prolong healing. My first broken engagement took me a very long time to get over...now he is in my life as a friend all these 37 years later, but I prefer to stay on my own. Life can have its ironies...

Deborah, How very special! And no doubt! That is so great!

Dan, I found weekends the toughest for a very long time. Even now it seems to stretch on and can be lonely at times. It gets more manageable with time. I agree about hospice, when I took care of my MIL the last three years of her life (she was bedridden with cancer), hospice was immeasurable help.

That's how it is here too, maybe because it's a small town. It doesn't seem that way in Eugene.

His mom passed before we met. George was the second to the oldest of eleven kids, and the family is pretty messed up, addictions, etc. I met some of his siblings. He told me about his aunt and her kids, etc. Most of his family are users steeped in their problems so I thought it best not to pursue this avenue esp. without him here to protect me. I've cautioned his daughter along the same lines and told her which one is the least affected but also let her know she's probably better off sticking to her mom's family, I think George would greatly concur.

I figure, in the end, I'm glad I'm not married to a coward.

jr, I so agree with you and wish you comfort in your losses. I, for one, look forward to being reunited with my husband, father, niece, nephew, grandparents, eight dogs, two parakeets, and 13 cats that I have lost over the years.

Chris, I hope your birthday goes better than you expect. I cried myself to sleep on my first birthday after George died, no one remembered my birthday or said Happy Birthday and he was always so big on celebrating it. I pray that is not your experience, but I hope you make plans for that day and keep busy. It is so understandable that you'd have ups and downs, it's to be expected. Three steps forward, two steps backward, but remember, overall, you're still moving in a progressive fashion in this journey, overall. Try not to view it as a setback or let it discourage, I've learned to accept the tears and pain as well as the accomplishments and victories. I'm sorry it's so hard!

We all agree she is a strong person, but she may not be feeling that way right now, I'm sure she feels fragile and close to breaking point, she's just had so much to endure. I pray there is a fighter in her that emerges and she doesn't give up. She is still young and can have much life left but probably can't see that and doesn't feel that...I remember when I was 24 thinking I was too old to start over, it wasn't my age, it was my life experiences that made me feel that way. We will keep on praying for her!

I know his mom's sister lives in Redding CA with her branch of the family, I don't know where any others are. I so wish he was here and I could meet his mom's side of the family.

Harry, how cool is that, congratulations! Wow, two inches of rain is a LOT! I hope you get to go to your game, I agree with Marty, you need to have some fun! Queenie, I'd never turn down a Broadway show, that's great! Let us know what you see...I only got to go there once and saw "Annie get your guns" and it was great, we got a limo back to our hotel, long story, it was free, so neat! Mary, it seems you minister to people everywhere you go...

I am sorry for your loss and I truly believe you will be reunited with your ferret. I feel so angry with misguided people that spout off their ill formed opinions that serve no purpose but to cause further unnecessary upset to the bereaved. The Bible says there will be animals in heaven, and you tell me why God would create new ones to inhabit it but not bring our beloved pets! That doesn't even make sense! How do people know if animals have souls or not! Heaven is where my beloved pets are.

The grief may affect how they are but it doesn't excuse it. I'm sorry, I've lived through grief as bad or worse than any of them and I haven't behaved like that to my loved ones.

The US "recognized" some tribes and not others, I don't get it either but as usual, it's always political, probably decided they didn't want to pay/owe them anything. George is Yuki, through his mother's line. The gov't had the amount wrong too, they halved it so his kids dropped off but shouldn't have. I love the Native American heritage and spirituality.

Nothing surprises me about professors, a lot of them seem to think theirs is the only class! I slept well last night, it felt so good!

Hmm, if his ex is crazy and you're immature, I guess he needs to learn a thing or two about picking, huh? JS...

Well sometimes one person isn't satisfied with the relationship and the other person doesn't have a clue...I often wondered if that's how it was with me and Jim, although he denied it. It does make you wonder! It's common to feel introspective following a breakup, several of us here admittedly are analytical. (maybe to a fault?) Stopping the hurt...ahh, that. Yeah, we all went through that or still are to some extent. It helped me greatly to keep busy, and of course, it took time before I could sleep through the night. I think all of us, if we couldn't salvage the relationship, would welcome closure and understanding as to what the h*** happened! But they don't always tell us. And it's our responsibility (to ourselves) to get through it and do what is ultimately best for ourselves. I know, sometimes easier said than done. I hope you have a good night, and thanks, it's how I feel about everything (sig line)!

Dan, What you are experiencing is very normal response, all of us have been through it. Also, different losses affect us differently.

I just learned my son has had one of his worst weeks ever. All three of their vehicles there quit running this week, he has one that needs a new engine (he has one, just needs time to put it in), one quits running, he doesn't know why yet, and another I don't remember what's wrong. Then he has a truck at my house that conked out at Christmas that he needs to get running and sell. And he discovered he has water leaking from his hot water tank into his flooring, it got mold in it, so the carpet needs replaced, everything cleaned and dried out, it did damage to furniture and three rifles, and it started with an infestation of mice so it now smells in there but he has traps set and the hot water tank and storage unit for it fixed. And he's working on three projects with teams and all three appointed him project manager, and he's coming up on finals this week. He had one professor assign them to NOT use technology for 48 hours to show how addicted they all are, which didn't help his other school assignments or communication with his "teams" any. Poor kid! I have nothing to worry about in comparison to him. I'm glad he's one of those people who seems to take things in stride, remains even keeled and calm...but still, we do all have our breaking points...

Mary, how cool is that, to be married on the longest day of the year! George and I were married when we got an extra hour in the fall, we got teased about wanting a longer honeymoon, but we hadn't even thought about that when we scheduled it, it's just how it worked out. fae, I would love another dream catcher, I felt somehow like it honored his tribe, which the US didn't "recognize", as if it's up to them to decide who is and who isn't a legitimate tribe when they were around long beforehand, ha! I, too, am so glad you are at the point of being able to enjoy your friends and your time there, that is how it should be.