I Come to the Garden...

That's the main reason for "the garden"; prayer!  Will be praying!!

My prayers are with the two of you as well Meece.

Oh Meece, that is so very hard.  I don't know that there is really very much  you can do other than just be there for him, pray for and with him.  In high school my brother and I were friends of a brother and sister who lost their father to suicide.  That was about all we were able to do for them.  She told me years later how much our love and presence helped.  I know you will have the strength your husband needs right now.  And also the wisdom to recognize his needs if he finds at times that he must turn to his family for consolation.

Meece...Sorry about loosing your SIL. Usually close family members dont see if their loved one are acting differently.

♥

So sorry Juanita......although it's not the same, here is a hug from me......Karen

Yes .. one can openly expressed their feelings, pleasure, sorrow  and share thoughts in this thread. . a big garden where  varieties of flowers, plants etc. are growing whole the year round.

So much hurting.

((((((((((((((((Meecie&Mr.Meece&Matt)))))))))))))))

((((((((((((((((Juanita))))))))))))))))))

The one little phrase that rolls into my brain for each of your separate situations is,
"Other people feel this."

It's actually a quote from a book I read by a Buddhist monk, Pema Chodrin. I have received consolation when I repeat it, during times of duress. It makes me realize that I am not alone in whatever emotion or feeling I am having.

"Other people feel this."

I think when I was going thru the tough complications from my surgery, earlier this year, and then lost my dear sounding-board & wonderful friend Saint, to this beast, I would unintnetionally add insult to injury and feel so isolated.

Then I would remind myself, "Other people feel this." I am not alone. I have a caring Creator who counts the feathers on a bird and knows my every pain and sorrow.

Meece, others have lost a family member to suicide. You are not alone. Others have bourne up under such a 'double' challenging loss. Thank you for trusting us with the specifics. The director of a local preschool lost her son just weeks back to suicide. I know her heart is still reeling. By speaking the truth we can reach out to you in more specific ways, and help carry you as you grieve.

Juanita, your experience is heart rending, but "Other people feel this." I think these boards are rife with the sort of experience you have described. In reading other threads I see this theme over & over & over & over some more. We humans, don't seem to be very good at supporting our family members when the chips are down.

Thank goodness we have the strength of this forum.

xx00xx00xx00xx

Strength and courage.

Strength and courage.

Strength and courage.

(((Meece and Jaunita))) extra prayers for Matt too.I like the quote that Faith used.Others feel this.We are definetly not alone ladies.

Just got on after missing all day yesterday.  Meece-eek!  I love Karen's lyrics; that's what I'm doing-praying for you.  I'm going to post the lyrics for one of my favorites-I probably posted them before, but this song means so much to me-I want you to revisit the words-Love, Me

I was sure by now,God, that You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.

Chorus:
And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can't find You
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away

Chorus

Barbe, it's a Casting Crowns song-they are one of my favorites.  Should be on Youtube or something if you want to hear the song. 

Meece, I want you to disconnect any of the buttons they can push. When they say something you would normally react to, I want you to look at that person and go "Wow, that normally would have botthered me, but today it doesn't." They are bound to be inappropriate today with the grief they are in. You  MUST distance yourself from them and JUST observe. Be a scientist, be a journalist. Be what ever and whoever you need to be to not get emotionally involved with them. Its' about them right now.