another good day

Yesterday was the third anniversary of my dad's death.

And, yesterday was actually a very good day. We spent the whole day with people I love and enjoy. We started out the day with friends and Waffle House, then we went to our church here in Atlanta and heard a wonderful and thought provoking sermon by a guest preacher. Then, we went to the husband's parents' house for an extended family dinner which was great fun and had great food! Then, we went to my grandma's house to have dinner with my family...and experienced good company and more good food! Then, we went and spent a little bit of time with other friends. So, it was a good day.

One of the points of the sermon was that sometimes things are over and new, but more uncertain things are at hand. In those times we can trust that the God who is with us in our comfortable places will also be with us in our new uncomfortable places. It was very appropriate and good to hear yesterday, specifically, and just at this point in my life. It's time to claim and accept some endings and to look forward to where God is leading me now. I'm fast approaching the end of my graduate degree. It's time to start looking to what might be next in my vocation. We believe God called us to go to Virginia, which means ending our time in Atlanta for now. It's time to see what God is calling us to in Virginia and learn and experience as much as we can while we are there. We are aware daily that we are drawing nearer and nearer to wanting to add a child to our life...and we are aware daily of all the endings and changes that will be connected to that addition. Yesterday was an anniversary of a painful ending in my life. I'm still learning how to heal and seek God in that ending. I'm continually trying to be open to the ways that healing will nurture me and help new things to grow in my life.

So, yesterday I made a point to listen to a song that helps me lately (World Spins Madly On by the Weepies--I highly recommend the Weepies!), got to receive a sermon that helped me remember to look forward with God, received repeated messages of support and nurture from friends who love me, and got to be with family and friends that I love. I got a little teary a couple of times both when I remembered how much I miss my dad and when I remembered how I am surrounded by the love and goodness of God if I'll just let myself accept it.



So, really, that's about what I need every day and would certainly be better for having each day. While November 11 will always be the day my dad died, that truth is just part of life now...and it's a good day to remember to live a good life.