Traveling Internationally

I've done quite a bit of traveling--and even internationally. God has blessed me with many opportunities. I was able to go to England, Wales and Scotland with my first husband, Bill. It was an adventure we shared together. In Scotland, we looked at each other questioningly when the server repeated our order in her Scottish brogue. Did she say we were getting a burger? Or one Scottish woman when complaining about England having too many sheep: "Sheepie, sheepie, everywhere!" It became our private joke: "sheepie, sheepie."

Then I traveled to Italy with two of my sisters and sister in law.We marveled at the lovely scenery. It was exactly like the movie "Under the Tuscan Sun"! We giggled when we hoped the conductor wouldn't ask us for our tickets on the train, for we forgot to keep the ticket.

Then there was the mega trip to South Africa with 17 hours of flight. But I had my second husband, Blair, with me. We laughed together at the movies. Agreed the food wasn't that great. And held hands on take offs and landings.

I just returned from my first international flight alone. My heart squeezed in sadness and memory as a couple held hands and the husband kissed his wife. I had to stop myself from grabbing my seat mate's hand when we bumped a bit descending in Reykjavik, Iceland. But I did it! One more step moving forward. Creating new history--by myself--and those special people I have in my life.

Hohenzollern Castle

In Heidelberg

Malbronn Monastery

Best of all, Meghan and Grammie

Super Bowl

Well, I made it through another Super Bowl. It was fun. My team won. My family was there. We had good food and laughed a lot.

That's not to say I didn't have glimmers of sadness during the day, for I did. Yesterday marked the anniversary of the death of my husband of 40 years. Bill died on February 3, 2006. It was two days later, on Super Bowl Sunday, we were planning his funeral service. People were at my house going over things he said and did. We were remembering.

The next couple of years were a learning experience. Learning to do things I'd never done before. Most of all, though, I learned to truly lean and trust in my Father God. He loved me so much He gave me as a  gift to his only Son, Jesus, who died for me!

Then I was given a wonderful, nearly heavenly-like experience. I fell in love again with a kind and wonderful man. Who loved football. Who would never miss a Super Bowl Game. So for one Super Bowl, Blair and I watched it together. By ourselves, for we didn't need anyone else. We ate. Cheered. Enjoyed each other's company.

Four years after that sad Super Bowl day of remembering Bill, I spent it alone again. Oh, the house was full of people, for we were celebrating Blair's life in the form of a Super Bowl Wake. But I was alone, for my best friend, lover and husband was not there. His memorial service was the day before. Blair's team lost that day. And we lost him.

I'm getting better. Learning how to live without both of those special men. Learning how to live a new normal. But Super Bowl always brings me back to those sad memories.

I do know this. Both Bill and Blair would have wanted me to go on. To move forward in my life. And I am. Some days are just more difficult than others. I'm glad there's only one Super Bowl every year.

He Was There

"This is my doing." He said in I Kings 12:24. I've come through a storm. It was a mere tempest compared to some of the storms in my life. This one was a short storm. It is past now. There is promise of sunshine today and I am glad. I am so grateful for the hope I have in the Lord. He is with me. Has been with me. Will be with me. Past, present and future! What more can I ask?! I won't ask. I will trust.

Somewhere in Montana