Joy in the Midst of Grief, Is it Even Possible?

2 months ago we lost a friend...

Bonnie has been a part of our circle for as long as I can remember.  She lived just up the road from us in a little yellow house that bloomed bluebonnets all spring long.  Though in her 80's, Bonnie was a bundle of energy and the memories run long of the fun we've had together...

She and her daughter, Marilyn were a happy part of our Lunch circle, our Bible Study group and our Road-Trip Warriors escapades...

Her loss has left us a little off-center.  Her faith strong, we never doubted her home-going.  The goodbyes were sweet and full of love.  Her family centered in Christ's promises.   And yet, there is such a hole left in our lives...

We miss that smile, the encouraging hugs, even that sassy way she had of livening even the most ordinary of days.

And while we feel the missing, her daughter struggles all the more, for more than mother-daughter, they were best of friends.

And so, when life grabs you by the neck and drags you through paths uncharted, it is often that we end up adrift with no anchor... and in the midst of the uncertain, the bluebonnets bloom sure... and we dared to snatch Marilyn up for a Road Trip, even in the midst of grieving Bonnie...

For in our Cancer Journey, mom found that sometimes you just need to Get-Away for a bit.  And though we weren't Traveling with Cancer, we indeed needed a reprieve from the heart-ache... A granting of permission to go and enjoy the people, places and activities that bring us so much pleasure.

And so the Road Trip to Waco was born.  A Grace Break most needed.

Waco?!  Yes, the home of our newest addiction... The Fixer-Upper!  Have you seen it on HGTV?  Chip and Joanna Gaines are the warm and crazy hosts of a show that we simply love.  So where better to head off to if you live in Texas?  Magnolia Markets, the fabulous Fixer-Upper store front!

 

Oh and we shopped...

 

and shopped...

 

And then since you can only shop so long,

we set out to explore the Back Roads of Waco.

Friends, you need to visit Waco!

 

 

 

Such beauty... flowers spilling, heart-aches easing...

 

And we found the tallest Crepe Myrtle we've ever seen!

 

 

And of course, we ate and laughed...

and talked about our moms, and Bonnie,

and cried a bit...

And felt the Grace Break right on down to our very hearts.

And, naturally we found our bluebonnets...

 

Spring time in Texas...

Somehow Grace gives joy even in the midst of grieving,

for sharing the heart-aches together, surely eases the pain

and gives way to such beautiful memories.

Thanking God for the gift of you, Miss Bonnie,

your light and legacy live on...

P.S. You would have loved this trip!

Garden Gates Beckon...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A visit to Clark Gardens in Weatherford, Texas to welcome Spring!

 

May your weekend be filled with just such beauty and peace...

Praying you find Garden Gates of wonder to walk right through,

 wherever you might be.

 

In Grace Bowing Thanks,

                       Jane

Cold Fronts, And Sheets and Tiny, Tiny Tree Frogs...

Cold fronts a-moving in... time to pull out the sweaters and scarfs!  Oh, and light up the woodstove.  Love this crisp fall weather.  But not the freezing temps so much...

My to-do list just got a mile longer.  Winterize the pipes.  Heat lamps for the chicks.  Haul hay for the goats.  Top off water tanks.  Pick the last of the tomatoes and green peppers (yes, we still have the garden growing, the glories of a Texas Fall!) 

And just as I caught myself running ragged, I remembered all the pretty plants on the back deck...

Maybe, just maybe we could cover them with sheets and pray for a "mild" freeze?  Not quite ready yet to lose the beauty, the sweet fragrance as we walk by...

And I rush in to get the sheets, rummaging thru drawers to find as many as I can, then rushing back out, linens billowing all around...

...and in the rushing to protect and cover up, I almost missed him...

 

 

Sweet, little tree frog.

 

Blending in, keeping still, but for the frantic beating heart.

My billowing sheets must have scared him silly.

Hung on to the dried oak leaf he did, surely praying I would pass him by...

 

 

 

 

But then I stilled my rushing, bent the knee and nodded, eye to eye...

 

Sometimes we just need to slow down and smile thanks for the offering.

 

Praying for the warmth of family and friends to hold you close this chilly night

and for these moments to still, just slow down and bring peace to each heart...

 

In Grace, Always, Jane

Grace Break...Funny Style

Sometimes the best Grace Break is the comical kind.

These pictures of Dogs-Gone-Wrong just tickled my funny bone.  The creative dog owners decided to take their misbehaving canines to task on social media for some side-splitting shaming.  And what makes it all the more adorable is that these pups still love their humans to bits, no amount of shaming will ever change that!

Leave your worries behind for a few minutes of laughter relief and enjoy the Grace Break!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Sunday Friends...

May your smiles be abundant this day,

 

Love Always, Jane

 

 

 

 

Grace Break...Friend-Style!

A weekend spent camping with friends...a Get-Away to savor some Grace Moments...

 

 

 

Savoring the Magnificence of His Creation...

 

My heart sits down in His Presence!