As I was reading your article, I cried. I am so grateful you shared such a personal story and I will cherish your enlightening words about forgiveness. I am struggling with forgiveness and needed to hear every word. I am so happy your load has been lifted. Thank you. Carolyn (Carol) Ball Holmes
My “load has been lifted.” That’s a good way of putting it! And why I shared the story. My next post is about the 6 coping mechanisms that helped me get through the crisis. It’s important to have perspective — coping mechanism #1.
And so nice to hear from you! Hard to imagine you troubled…instead of the popular cheerleader! If I can be helpful, PLEASE let me know! I feel like I’m an expert after the year I had.
My parents passed away in 2022 within three weeks of each other. It was a sad ending and it divided our family (my siblings) and rewrote the ending of what I thought was a great American Family! Oh, the fairytale is fiction and I was one of the last ones to know! A classic - the perfect family on the hill tale is not so perfect!! I can't wait for your 6 coping mechanisms...I'd love to chat, are these posts private? Again, I am so sorry for your crisis! I am so glad you are finding peace. I'd love to catch up with you as well. It looks like you have a darling son, a wonderful husband and living the life in Colorado!! So wonderful...xoxoxo, Carol
You have no idea how much I needed to read this today and will share with my sisters. We lost our father a few weeks ago, and so much of what you eloquently share here is so wise and fitting. Thank you for sharing Melanie.
Hi Melanie, thanks for sharing your inspiring words. It takes strength to be vulnerable and to acknowledge that there are many different ways to see things. Having that strength and ability allows one to live with more freedom and peace. Thank you.
It's great to read these words again, Melanie, as I confess I still struggle with fully forgiving and forgetting...
remember, it's not forgetting; it's remembering differently! Happy to discuss your context.
As I was reading your article, I cried. I am so grateful you shared such a personal story and I will cherish your enlightening words about forgiveness. I am struggling with forgiveness and needed to hear every word. I am so happy your load has been lifted. Thank you. Carolyn (Carol) Ball Holmes
My “load has been lifted.” That’s a good way of putting it! And why I shared the story. My next post is about the 6 coping mechanisms that helped me get through the crisis. It’s important to have perspective — coping mechanism #1.
And so nice to hear from you! Hard to imagine you troubled…instead of the popular cheerleader! If I can be helpful, PLEASE let me know! I feel like I’m an expert after the year I had.
My parents passed away in 2022 within three weeks of each other. It was a sad ending and it divided our family (my siblings) and rewrote the ending of what I thought was a great American Family! Oh, the fairytale is fiction and I was one of the last ones to know! A classic - the perfect family on the hill tale is not so perfect!! I can't wait for your 6 coping mechanisms...I'd love to chat, are these posts private? Again, I am so sorry for your crisis! I am so glad you are finding peace. I'd love to catch up with you as well. It looks like you have a darling son, a wonderful husband and living the life in Colorado!! So wonderful...xoxoxo, Carol
A reader of my last post sent me this poem and I want to share with you. I hope this is as much solace to you as it was to me!
FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND
One night I dreamed a dream.
As I was walking along the beach with my Lord.
Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,
One belonging to me and one to my Lord.
After the last scene of my life flashed before me,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that at many times along the path of my life,
especially at the very lowest and saddest times,
there was only one set of footprints.
This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it.
"Lord, you said once I decided to follow you,
You'd walk with me all the way.
But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life,
there was only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me."
He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you
Never, ever, during your trials and testings.
When you saw only one set of footprints,
It was then that I carried you."
You have no idea how much I needed to read this today and will share with my sisters. We lost our father a few weeks ago, and so much of what you eloquently share here is so wise and fitting. Thank you for sharing Melanie.
Hi Melanie, thanks for sharing your inspiring words. It takes strength to be vulnerable and to acknowledge that there are many different ways to see things. Having that strength and ability allows one to live with more freedom and peace. Thank you.
And thank you for helping me find that freedom and peace!
Wonderful pearls of wisdom! With gratitude 😘
Thank you Melanie
So true - sad but beautiful- life- made me cry, agree, wistful, uplifting all together.
I’m so glad it was worth the read! I struggled with whether it was too long or personal. Thanks for sharing your feedback.
Beautiful, Melanie. From the heart to our hearts. Thank you.
Enriching words from a wise woman.
👍