I was all set to enjoy May! I’ve been hearing about “Breakup” and watching the weather warm, slightly, kind of. The snow on our front spot of yard was beginning to lessen even in the shadows, and that meant I could see more of the half-barrel planter peeking out from its winter storage under the snow. What should I plant? When? I knew it was too cool still, but soon! And then…
Nurses’ Week was coming. I was looking and praying for a bright idea that would let you all know how much I appreciate you! Your being does my soul good! What could I do to show I care and want you to know it? How could I decide? And then…
I recently decided to go back to school. My family always questions me…why?! But I do love learning. And something about the regimen of having to turn in papers and study is fulfilling. It makes me work. My first post was due Wednesday before Mother’s Day and two papers were due on Mother’s Day! Who planned this? Did they not know mothers were in the class? Oh well, I can do this. And then…
My father-in-law passed away. We knew it was coming at some point. He had been battling cancer and COVID-19 delayed his treatment just long enough that it spread too far to stop once the procedures were being done again. He enjoyed life, as an elementary school music teacher and piano teacher for over 50 years, always finding good, sharing laughter, and making each one know they were special. Visitation was scheduled for Friday before Mother’s Day and the funeral on Monday after. What a special time with family and friends to remember a great man! And then…
So many of our stories, especially these last COVID-19-filled years, have an “and then…” clause. We decide on a plan of action, and then… It’s frustrating and saddening and maddening. It’s not right! Nevertheless, and then…
I mentioned earlier, that I’m back in school. It’s a post-graduate certificate in Trauma and Resilience. Talk about timing! The first week included a TED talk titled The Three Secrets of Resilient People by Lucy Hone. Wow! Coupled with the recent reading of Good Grief, these three little secrets provide a foundational approach to “and then…” (I encourage you to listen to the TED Talk but here are the secrets.)
- Know that there's suffering in life.
- Choose those aspects that are in our control.
- Is what we are doing helping or harming us?
How basic. You or I could have written these! But what good reminders of how to approach the reality of our life's “and then…” moments.
Scripture tells us there will be the “and then…” moments. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 in the NIV states “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” We see here the back and forth of life because of God’s promises such as Psalm 37:23-24. The NIV says, “The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.” Pairing the three secrets with the Bible can give us a way of resilience to not just survive but succeed through the “and thens…” of life.
So, what about my “and thens…?” Well, I still have time to plan the flowers! I can tell you Happy Nurses’ Week today and hope you know I appreciate each of you and look forward to getting to know you better and better! I received approval for an extension on the first week’s assignments for my class…until next Sunday at midnight! I was able to attend the visitation, but by the time of the funeral Keith had shared COVID with me and I was in quarantine. He barely made it out, having missed the visitation after testing positive just two days after we arrived in town. Life continues as it ends. Sadness is present but so is joy. Gpa Bateman taught us a lot about resilience as he lived it for us to watch, enjoying life and laughing and enduring and questioning, all through the “and thens…” of his journey.
May this be said of us all!
