Randomness....
- Went to my first NHL game two weeks ago. And it was a lot of fun. The Utah Mammoth (the team I was rooting for) defeated the Seattle Kraken 6-3. I wouldn't mind going again...if only I could afford the tickets. But even the cheap seats are expensive.
- I just finished reading Harlow Giles Unger's excellent biography John Hancock: Merchant King and American Patriot. It's a well-researched book, as all his books are, but what I love most about his writing is how accessible and compelling his prose is. I came away with newfound respect for John Hancock and all he did to contribute to the founding or our nation. For me, this was a fascinating 5-star read.
- I've been missing my mom a lot this last month. Even little things have been making me sad. Grief is the gift that keeps on giving. But I'm trying to count my blessings.
- Lots of recent family get-togethers and outings have helped bring some joy into the mix...from my niece's birthday dinner to Dino Fest to a Q-tip painting art day to laughing with my sisters at our monthly game night. I'm SO grateful for my family.
- My co-workers have been super caring, too, always checking in to see how I'm doing and offering their friendship and support. Makes me better understand and appreciate that scripture in Mosiah about bearing one another's burdens that they may be light, mourning with those that mourn, and comforting those that stand in need of comfort.
- And I'm very excited for the Winter Olympics this month. Can't wait to watch some curling along with short track, freestyle skiing, half pipe snowboarding, and all the figure skating. Go U.S.A.!
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Thinking of you. Hugs. xx.
ReplyDeletersrue.blogspot.com
:D Thank you!
DeleteThose of us who have been through the kind of heartbreak you are experiencing understand all too well. One day at a time...
ReplyDeleteWe've all felt that kind of loss, haven't we? It's just hard.
DeleteI have been thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers, Lark. I do know what it's like to lose your Mom and it will take a while to process and deal with. However, I also feel that mine is still around and I always know what she would have said to me in almost any circumstance. And I know where she is now - in a much better place. Take care, friend. I'm also looking forward to the Olympics!!
ReplyDeleteI know my mom is in a much better place, too. And I'm glad for her. I just miss her. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship and support. It means a lot.
DeleteYes, grief is the "gift" that keeps on giving! I'm so happy to hear you've had support from your co-workers and family! It does sound like you have a wonderful family! It's also great that you're keeping busy. That helps. I hope the good memories help temper the sadness, Lark!
ReplyDeleteI'm very lucky. Lucky to have such wonderful blogging friends like you, too! Thank you for your friendship over the years.
DeleteAwww, thanks! I feel the same way about you! Thank you for your friendship! I love checking in and seeing what's going in your life and what you're reading! :)
DeleteIt's tough losing a parent, though I find now a sudden memory of them can just bring a brightness into my day.
ReplyDeleteThere are good memories, for sure. Just right now, the good memories also make me cry. I know that won't always be the case though.
DeleteYou will never stop missing your mother. I lost mine in 2020 and I still talk to her daily :)
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is a huge fan of the Avalanche--we toyed with going to a Sat game in January, but the tickets are prohibitively expensive.
So looking forward to the Olympics. Should be a good couple of weeks.
The John Hancock bio sounds terrific. Putting it on the list. I don't think he gets remembered for much beyond his signature!
I hate how expensive tickets are these days. At least I can watch the Olympics for free. ;D
DeleteAnd John Hancock was such an impressive man: great business acumen, and the way he could write! I never knew the extent of the role he played in that time period. It's a great book.
Grief takes time. I lost my mom in 2011 and still miss her but it gets easier.
ReplyDeleteI know it won't always feel this sad, but this first year is going to be hard. I'd forgotten how hard it was that first year after my dad died. Sometimes I wish I could fast forward through it, you know?
DeleteI'm glad you have supportive people in your life. ❤️ Loss is hard no matter how much time has passed.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard. You never stop missing the person who is gone. Thank you for your kind comments. :D
DeleteLark, you are very fortunate to have such a loving family around you during this time after the loss of your mother.
ReplyDeleteI am very lucky to have such a close family. I don't know what I would do without them.
DeleteSending you a ton of hugs and love, my friend.
ReplyDeleteI so appreciate that. Thank you! :D
DeleteHugs, Lark! I'm glad you have family surrounding you, it definitely helps. I'm excited for figure skating too😁
ReplyDeleteThank you! And our figure skating team looks really strong this Olympics. We might bring home some medals...fingers crossed. :D
DeleteIt sounds like you had some wonderful times with family -- but yes, grieving isn't a one-time event, and even unexpected moments can trigger those feelings of sorrow and loss. On a different note, I'm glad you enjoyed the NHL game! I'm looking forward to the winter olympics too -- curling is so much fun!
ReplyDeleteI love curling! It's my favorite winter sport. Though I do love the skating events and the skiing, too. :D
DeleteLark, thinking of you. So glad you have such an amazing family and terrific friends. You are so right, grief is definitely the gift that keeps on giving - ugh. I find that the more time passes (8months now) I miss my dad even more. It's not all the time like it was in the beginning, but when it hits me, it is just as hard, if not harder. I think because I can't get over the fact that I'm in 2026 and he's not - it just doesn't make sense. I don't think it ever will. So, I understand missing your mom. Especially since it was so recent and it was your mom. Plus, when you love someone so much, how can you not miss them, right? Take care and stay warm.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nadia! I know you know what it's like and I think about you all the time. Grief does sometimes hit you out of the blue...and it's a stinging slap sometimes. I don't like not having my mom or dad around any more. I miss having them in the world, so I totally get what you mean. Hang in there!
DeleteGrief is exhausting and you never know what will trigger it. I'm glad you did mix in some fun and joyous things. The family events and the hockey game sound like a lot of fun! The university I went to had a big hockey program and it was always a lot of fun to go to the games but I've never been to an NHL game.
ReplyDeleteGrief is exhausting! I just want to stay home and curl up on my couch with a good book...but the demands of life don't stop just because I want them to. And NHL hockey is fun. I just wish it wasn't so expensive. I wish we had a university hockey program nearby...I could probably afford those tickets. ;D
DeleteI am glad Lark that you have a great family and friends and they really help. The grief when we lose our Mom never really goes away completely but the good memories rise to the surface
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of good memories, that's for sure. And it's not all sadness all the time, but boy can it creep up on you when you're not looking.
DeleteGrief is a slippery slope. I still feel it for my dad -- it's still surreal he's gone. I think that quote by Adrienne Moore is helpful. I'm glad you have your sisters near & co-workers. That is good. The Winter Games should be a happy distraction. We are looking forward to some of the ski racing & cross country events. Take it a day at a time. that's all we can do.
ReplyDeleteA happy distraction is definitely what I need; and I always love watching the Olympics. And thank you for your kind words!
DeleteDecember is about the worst month for grief. At least in my opinion. I am glad your colleagues helped you with that. Means a lot.
ReplyDeleteAnd I am looking forward to the Olympic Games. The winter ones are the best!
The winter Olympics are my favorite, too! I got to go to several events during the Salt Lake Games in 2002. It was so awesome. :D
DeleteThat must have been great. My son won tickets to the beach volleyball games in Paris. He said it was fantastic.
DeleteParis did an amazing job hosting! I wish I could have been there. :D
DeleteI have a friend who lives nearby and also went to a couple of events. Just hearting that was almost as being there myself.
DeleteIt's been a while since I've gone to a hockey game, but they're a lot of fun! We have a minor league team here.
ReplyDeleteI'm praying for you, Lark. 🙏
We have a minor league hockey team, too, but this is their last year in Salt Lake now that there's also an NHL team, which I think is kind of sad. And thank you for your prayers! That means a lot, Ashley. :D
DeleteI miss my mom every day, fifteen years after her passing. I'm glad you are finding ways to deal with your grief.
ReplyDeleteThat missing never goes away does it? My dad passed almost 8 years ago and I still miss him, too.
DeleteHugs to you!! Grieving is tough, especially with the passing of mothers.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to watching curling too and the figure skating!
They are my two favorite winter sports to watch. :D
DeleteI have only been to one hockey game, but I loved it! I don't keep up with much so I hadn't realized it was time for the winter Olympics! I love watching the figure skating!
ReplyDeleteWe have a great figure skating team this year, so they will be fun to watch. :D
DeleteHugs
ReplyDeleteI have actually never been to a hockey game, weird
I went to a couple women's hockey games when the Olympics came to Salt Lake in 2002 and those were really fun!
DeleteMy husband I used to go to a couple of hockey games a year, I miss doing that with him. Your comment: Grief is the gift that keeps on giving is so true. One day at a time, Lark. Eventually those memories will make you smile. I'm glad you have a good support network, that helps.
ReplyDelete:D Thank you so much!
DeleteSo sorry to hear about your mother!
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteI am sending you a big hug, Lark. My coworkers have been supportive of me too. I am so grateful for that. My brother and I have been texting every day like my mom used to do with us. Mostly every day happenings, but that connection has kept me going some days. Take care of yourself.
ReplyDeleteStaying close to family so helps when you're grieving the loss of a parent; my sisters and I have been seeing a lot more of each other this past month, too. And it does help. Thank your for the hug!!!
DeleteI'm so glad your friends and family are surrounding you with so much love and support. It's always so inspiring to see that Mosiah scripture in action. Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteThat's what's so great about the Gospel...it has an answer for every hard thing we go through.
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