October, and life rolls on. Work, love, loss.
Relationships shift. Two in our family are experiencing divorce. Cross country moves, disrupted lives, sadness, renewed hope…so much change.
Through it all, we talk. We listen. We advise. We hope. We get up and do it all over again.
I feel humbled by life. The older I get, the more I think no one has it figured out. No one can fully understand or appreciate another person’s perspective, or choices. The best we can do is to be honest with ourselves, and be kind to others in the process.
Well, maybe that’s enough. Be honest, be kind. Come back to first principles. Appreciate the simple things, the sweet things. Trust that life will work out. Look for the good.
“Don’t stumble over something behind you.”
Grace and Life 
It’s true. No one has it all figured out. I love your last paragraph. “Be honest, be kind. Come back to first principles. Appreciate the simple things, the sweet things. Trust that life will work out. Look for the good.” Great advice for all of us!
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My prayers are with you and your family! “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” – (Psalm 34:18).”This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” – (1 John 5:14 ) 🙂
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First of all, I love your header – I so love pine cones. And second, I couldn’t agree more with your assessment of no one really having it figured out. All my best to your family.
~d.
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Thank you! We will all survive, and learn from this. Divorce seems so different up close. We are watching a sibling and our son navigate these waters. Thanks for the good wishes!
I love pine cones too, and look for ways to use them throughout the house. This header was fun and so simple…looked right for this season!
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That’s the thing about life…it is always changing…and it’s the way we embrace the changes being good, bad or sad…that will make the outcome bearable…Support to others is sometimes just a reassuring word that we are there…advice needs to be somewhat limited…due to “feelings” having a major role in these life changing events…and as in all things…These changes will pass…
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Thank you for the encouraging words..I know many people have been through these situations, and it is never easy. Just sad to watch. ~ Sheila
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Sheila, my thoughts and prayers are with you as you hurt with your family. Everyday real life doesn’t come in neat little packages very often. Giving love, encouragement and hope like you do helps enable others to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Love you!
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Thank you Ann. You are always a source of comfort and joy to me! ~ Sheila
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I agree with Renee’s comment, although some of the couples I know who’ve been married the longest came through some REALLY hard times (my in-laws, for example, have been married 70+ years). Society has just changed in so many ways.
Yes…be honest, be kind – above all else!
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Yes, times have certainly changed. One of these situations is a 20+ year marriage with three kids…already been a long and ugly process to divorce. The other is our son, and thank God, there are no children involved. He’s young, and I know he’ll be ok. Still, hard to watch. Good to know that so many have survived these hard moments and have gone on to have beautiful lives. Support and encouragement are wonderful! ~ Sheila
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For some reason I’m reminded of what the instructor said on the first day of Driver Education:
“When driving, what one does while looking through the windshield determines what’s seen in the rear-view mirror. Thus it is generally best (safer) to focus one’s view forward…rather than back. Unless, of course, you’ve shifted into reverse.”
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There’s another quote I like, “Don’t look for me in the past, I don’t live there anymore.” Such a great line! Not always easy to do…sometimes I have to remind myself that my address is in the present. ~ Sheila
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I think you nailed it: that no one has it all figured out. All we can do is carry on, be nice, listen and stay present. I know you are a source of great comfort to your family.
MJ
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I feel like we’ve been in a soap opera for the past many months, and I don’t say that to be unfeeling…it is scary when drama becomes part of everyday life. Thankfully I think things are beginning to calm. Thank you for the encouraging words. ~ Sheila
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There seems to be a surge in divorce recently. I think the economy is putting so much stress on the average person that it manifests in our marriages. Stay strong and be well as you are faced with long talks with your loved ones. I know you will have the best advice for them which is often just you are there to listen.
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You’re right, I think many people and marriages are stressed beyond bearing. As for advice, there was nothing we or anyone else was able to say to help the relationships. And listening is best. Thank you for the words of support Renee. I so appreciate that! ~ Sheila
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