The Encouraging Crafter

Since my mom passed away, my dad and myself and 2 of my other siblings (the other 2 live out of state) have been going to a grief counseling class.  I have to say this was a different concept for me, but I wanted to go to support my dad.  I knew since it was Biblically based I would definitely learn things that I would need to get through the loss of my mother.  There also isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for my dad!  I am blessed to have had 2 of the best loving parents.  They raised 5 pretty great kids, if I do say so myself.  We all believe in Jesus, try our best to do good for others and help those in need, and love deeply.

In GriefShare, overall you learn that everyone grieves differently and that is definitely true.  I see it in my own family.  We all handle things different.  We have learned in the few weeks of going to GriefShare that you have to lean into God.  I am not sure how people get through the tough times in their life without Him.  We have learned about some of the symptoms of grief and how to recognize and treat them.  We have learned about different challenges of grief and how that sometimes you just have to do the next thing, which may be just brushing your teeth, making sure you eat, etc.

Last week we learned about triggers and how they can affect you.  I have had several of those since my mom passed.  My mom had a favorite song.  It is called Bop by Dan Seals.  I remember growing up that she always loved that song and would always dance and sing along to it.  Mom was always singing.  She loved old sing-alongs. Anyway, a few days after she passed away I was driving in the car and had it on the older station.  That song came on.  In the beginning, I turned up the radio and thought I haven’t heard that song in a long time.  And then I remembered that mom loved that song.  I immediately turned the radio off and tried to not cry.  Maybe one day I will be able to listen to that song again.  The other week, I found a voice-mail on my phone.  It kind of shocked me to hear her voice.  I wasn’t expecting it.  I saved that voicemail so I can listen to her whenever I want.

Last week, they also discussed writing a grief letter to your friends, family or even your loved one.  I used to journal at least every other day, but I haven’t done that since my mom went into the hospital at the beginning of the year.  That was always an outlet for me.  I need to start that back up.  So pray for me on that one.  As far as the grief letter goes, you are supposed to write to those friends and family about how you are feeling and how they can help you and on how the loss of your loved one is affecting you.  So here it goes…

Most of the days, I am somewhat okay.  It has only been a month so it is still raw at times.  Sometimes I can think about my mom and smile and other times I will be upset.  It was a rough weekend for me.  It started with thinking that I had lost the earrings that my parents gave me for my last birthday.  Then my son asked me who all was coming for dinner on Saturday night and I told him Grandma and Bubba.  It made me stop in my tracks.  It has always been Grandma and Bubba!!! Sunday, I just couldn’t quit thinking about her and it just made me sad…which led into today.  One month today.  When I am sad, I get quiet.  I do not like to cry in front of people.  Only those close to me can tell when something is wrong because most of the time I am good at hiding my feelings.  If I am quiet, it is okay to encourage me or distract me.  If I don’t want to talk, I will let you know. I need you to pray for me and my family.  I need your continued friendships.  I need your presence in my life.  I need your support and love.  My head knows that my mom is in Heaven with Jesus and no longer suffering, but sometimes my heart just misses her.

I will end with a scripture.  Since it was put in front of me a few times today, I was reminded by my pal it is important.  The Holy Spirit is at work!

John 10:27-28  “My sheep listen to my voice: I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.”

Much Love,

Katrina