So long, 2008!

Or, better yet, piss off. I have not had a good year. I have not had a decent year. This year, in fact, sucked hard. And I am not alone in this. In fact, I can't think of a single person who did have a good year. Can you?

I don't feel like rehashing all the crap that's happened, so, if you feel so inclined, feel free to read my previous posts on here. I will, however, recap December; since I haven't had the opportunity to get on here until now. It began with my grandmother's funeral. Having family here was nice, especially for Thanksgiving, but it was hard as well.

Then came the weather, and the weather definitely came. Wind, rain, temperatures in the 20s, snow, snow, and, um, yeah, more snow. Washington doesn't see much of the white stuff in December, unless you go to the mountains. But down here at sea level saw at least a foot of it, even more so in most places. The upside is that we actually had a genuine, white Christmas this year. The downsides were slipping all over the place when it would convert to ice and idiot drivers not driving for the conditions, not to mention the cabin fever we all have been feeling.

Speaking of Christmas-was anyone actually prepared for it? I wasn't-though I didn't feel like celebrating anyway. Add to it the drastic weather and people were down each others' throats. You probably heard about the stampede at a Walmart on Black Friday. That should give you the state of mind of most consumers this year. Do people not realize that Christmas does come every year?

I know this post is not exactly happy and joyful. There is some stuff that I am quite grateful for. My friends and family who have rallied around us during this dark period. Especially those who keep checking up on me. Your efforts are greatly appreciated. And I am looking forward to next year, if only for the opportunity for a fresh start. I have already made my resolutions, and this time, they are actually quite reasonable. I'm even contemplating participating in a annual writer's contest next November. If I can. We'll see.

Anywho-here's to next year. I hope it's better than this year. It has to be. Right?

In Loving Memory

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me." (John 14:1)

There is no easy way to loose a loved one. The pain, at first unbearable, over time dims; but never goes away. The survivors are left with an invisible scar on their hearts. Years later, the tears still flow-although they fall less often.

The Lord welcomed Virginia Ghea into His promised mansion on November 25th. In the last half hour of her life, her troubled breathing calmed. Her passage from this life to the next one was a gentle one. On her walk with God here on Earth, the only time she saw Him was in His majestic creations and artists’ assumptions. Now she sees Him face to face as He welcomes home His good and faithful servant.

She was a Christian, not only in faith, but in works. Completely selfless-even when she could no longer take care of you, she still tried. She had a pure and gentle heart, with a smile that genuinely lit up the room. The eyes are the window of the soul, and hers were soft and caring.

Does this hurt? Yes. But while our suffering has just begun, her has come to an end. She is finally, truly, at peace.

Goodbye, Grandma. I miss you so. And I await your welcoming hug when the Lord calls me home.