tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post6255258233292526495..comments2024-03-29T07:37:59.526-07:00Comments on Blessed Are The Pure Of Heart: Your Dying Spouse 104 - Courage is NothingAndrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-41148482883969189322016-01-13T20:16:32.442-08:002016-01-13T20:16:32.442-08:00Tammy, this means so much to me - thank you. It to...Tammy, this means so much to me - thank you. It took me a LONG time to realize that relationships are really everything, in terms of the legacy we leave...and, I suspect, in terms of the love we are permitted to carry into Heaven, because how we love others is that reflection of the shared love between us and Jesus.<br /><br />And it was SOOO hard to accept the appellation - 'patient'. But that pride is done, and yes, we really are all patients...in that the church is not a museum for saints, but a hospital for the rest of us.<br /><br />Again, Tammy...thank you. Your words are a treasure, and a balm to a heart that has often ached with dread. Not of death, but of pain...and pain with purpose CAN be borne.Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-51906124315346219442016-01-13T20:12:44.660-08:002016-01-13T20:12:44.660-08:00jeanne, this means so much, what you have said...a...jeanne, this means so much, what you have said...and yes, I do have an agenda...that of pointing people to Jesus! It is my life's work...and death's work, come to think of it.<br /><br />I wish I had that overt faith that would allow praise and worship, or the Jesus Is My Best Friend experience...but I find that faith is actually folded away, tucked into the pockets and folds of my metaphorically torn clothes, to be found exactly when I need it.<br /><br />Thank you for the prayers, Jeanne. I - and we - need them. The past few days were at the edge of endurance.Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-48737844584389538462016-01-13T20:09:48.199-08:002016-01-13T20:09:48.199-08:00It is definitely a relief, Ruth, not to have to pr...It is definitely a relief, Ruth, not to have to pretend...and not to be ABLE to hold up the pretense. It was quite a burden, and looking back...faintly silly, in the way that the very young adult can be silly in seriousness.<br /><br />Thank you so much for the prayers. Need them, badly, as recent days have been horrid.Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-6165253002138396072016-01-13T20:07:42.020-08:002016-01-13T20:07:42.020-08:00Oh, Joy! This is so precious to me. I have no word...Oh, Joy! This is so precious to me. I have no words, but to say, thank you!<br /><br />The past few days have been very, very tough, and I was not sure I would even be able to frame replies...but the act of doing so makes your original comment all the brighter in my heart.<br /><br />And we so appreciate the prayers!Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-31411717677090454602016-01-13T20:05:03.872-08:002016-01-13T20:05:03.872-08:00Barbara, thank you...your words and thoughts mean ...Barbara, thank you...your words and thoughts mean so much!<br /><br />It's been a very hard process to write, lately, because the lessons are much closer to the bone, but the thought that someone might see hope where they had only seen darkness makes it worthwhile.<br /><br />We so appreciate the hugs and love! The past few days have been a mess, and I've lost ground.Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-23350018538154484532016-01-13T20:01:59.939-08:002016-01-13T20:01:59.939-08:00Oh, how I love the Cowardly Lion, Tara! You gave m...Oh, how I love the Cowardly Lion, Tara! You gave me a big smile, there (but then...you always do, just by being here).<br /><br />I so appreciate the prayers. These have been hard, hard days, and I have lost a lot of ground.Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-79942767198241303422016-01-13T20:00:54.087-08:002016-01-13T20:00:54.087-08:00Thank you, June...it is, seriously, the thought th...Thank you, June...it is, seriously, the thought that others might get something from this experience that keeps me going. I'm beginning to learn that my life was never really about me in the first place.Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-3233292598519819002016-01-13T19:58:09.219-08:002016-01-13T19:58:09.219-08:00They are good teachers...and they teach one anothe...They are good teachers...and they teach one another, as well. Where I had one service dog, now I have two - one trained by the first - and several who are learning.<br /><br />Showing up yesterday and today has been hard. There are times it would be so easy to give up! But those are exactly the wrong times to quit.<br /><br />Thank you so much for being here, Linda.Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-62136115795247287822016-01-13T19:56:23.801-08:002016-01-13T19:56:23.801-08:00Sarah, thank you so much! My friends...YOU...are a...Sarah, thank you so much! My friends...YOU...are a huge part of what makes the here and now worthwhile.Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-73226296594426994542016-01-13T19:55:37.578-08:002016-01-13T19:55:37.578-08:00Janet, thank you for this. I am doing my best; it&...Janet, thank you for this. I am doing my best; it's a hard grace to think through - and act through - but I can see the need, and the blessing it will give.Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-89919196081675541662016-01-13T19:54:36.021-08:002016-01-13T19:54:36.021-08:00Lisa, thank you so much for being here! I truly ap...Lisa, thank you so much for being here! I truly appreciate the prayers, as things have gone,physically, from bad to REALLY bad.<br /><br />But I am still here, and will remain.Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-55883510928584121972016-01-12T13:46:22.092-08:002016-01-12T13:46:22.092-08:00Andrew,
"It's extending the hand that you...Andrew,<br />"It's extending the hand that you want to clutch to your own throat, and instead of yelling at God, "Why me, damn it?", saying softly, "I'm here"."<br /><br />And you continuing to "be here" even when escape is so much easier. Choosing to be present in the midst of pain.<br /><br />All we can take away are our relationships. For better or for worse, that will be our legacy with each person. You have recently been highlighting the importance of self-care so that the verbal abuse and negativity and fear don't overwhelm a lifetime of care and love.<br /><br />It is not defeat to call oneself a patient. Truly we all have sickness in need of a Great Physician. But, it is the willingness to be served and to offer what one has that is the nobility of death-faced persons. We are not all looking death squarely in the face, as we are afraid to see it. You have stared it down and are at times wondering why it doesn't just come. Though the puzzle remains, you may have said it best with your final line this time.<br /><br />"because the positive outlook that I can still contribute is a community thing...that I'm not stopping, that I'm still here...maybe it will help someone else to hang around as well."<br /><br />We exist for community. "It is not good for man to be alone."<br /><br />Your writing has excelled even as your difficulty in writing has increased. Well done, Andrew.<br /><br />-TammyTammysincerityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16959015797818229243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-26583106518394753402016-01-12T13:43:06.713-08:002016-01-12T13:43:06.713-08:00Andrew, your words . . . they hold raw truth and p...Andrew, your words . . . they hold raw truth and power. You may not feel courageous, or like faith is helping much. But this I know, your words, your transparency, speak to many hearts. They inspire and challenge and encourage. I see you as a person who seeks to live well in the showing up. You're showing up for Barbara, and for your dogs. And, you're showing up here and at so many of our blogs. Your words speak life and courage and hope, even when you don't feel it.They have eternal value because they point your readers to Jesus (purposefully or not :) ). Thank you for showing up, my friend. I'm continuing to pray for you, Barb and your dogs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-31592687956872480692016-01-12T12:56:19.724-08:002016-01-12T12:56:19.724-08:00Isn't that sort of a relief, that you/we don&#...Isn't that sort of a relief, that you/we don't have to pretend courage, act fearless, or be stronger than we are? To just be who we are, with all we have to offer? In fact, no performance and no apology... no, 'I'm sorry I'm not stronger, sorry I'm doing this so inelegantly, I'm sorry for the mess, the tears, the trembling...' A perfect and necessary humility, and trust that that is enough. Loved and cherished as you/we are.<br /><br />Praying for continued grace, as ever. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-54281149209243187672016-01-12T10:24:29.901-08:002016-01-12T10:24:29.901-08:00Andrew, choosing to show up each day, to be presen...Andrew, choosing to show up each day, to be present and readily available for our loved ones, no matter what, so often takes raw courage, faith, inner resilience and strength of character - all of which you have in abundance. As energy fades and a body protests its mortal frame, your spirit shines forth with beautiful brightness and clarity.<br />The passage toward HOME can be a painful one for many and its harsh reality is evident in your words. But the thing that hits us harder is the sheer grit and determination you show in showing up to love Barbara (and those dear dogs) with every ounce of effort you can muster. Truly wonderful and truly humbling.. blessings and prayers to you both. Joy Lentonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03486637586238798088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-87252404026647642152016-01-11T14:03:41.910-08:002016-01-11T14:03:41.910-08:00Tara...Andrew, I also liked that statement; becaus...Tara...Andrew, I also liked that statement; because those are the ones who really count...yourself, God (and also "dog", your sidekicks!) and those around you. It IS hard to be courageous in the face of...yeah, the face of THIS. Your words, though hard for you to write or even to think about, are taken to heart and inspire those who read. Prayer as always, Andrew; as you move on toward your HOME...I pray if the time ever came for me, or WHEN because we WILL at some point be headed HOME...I pray I can be as open and sharing and...faithful as you have been!<br /><br />HUGS and LOVE to you both!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16954512718777249848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-43364049414964615292016-01-11T11:22:43.765-08:002016-01-11T11:22:43.765-08:00Andrew, SO MUCH THIS: "You don't show up ...Andrew, SO MUCH THIS: "You don't show up for yourself, or for even God. You show up for the people around you." Courage is a hard thing. I am reminded of the cowardly lion in the Wizard of Oz. God knows what we need. Still continuing to pray for you and Barbara, friend.Tara Ulrichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02619365758739247929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-88795867471561683362016-01-11T10:48:52.594-08:002016-01-11T10:48:52.594-08:00Courage and faith may not be a choice, but you hav...Courage and faith may not be a choice, but you have both, Andrew, which is why you keep choosing to show up. You may never benefit from this obedience, but others do, and will. God bless you.Inspired By Junehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09846209740481251443noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-47585869311928281572016-01-11T10:12:20.463-08:002016-01-11T10:12:20.463-08:00Well, it's not the 1st time that your dogs hav...Well, it's not the 1st time that your dogs have been excellent teachers, Andrew. Great lessons.<br /><br />And yes. Sometimes showing up is the only thing that needs to be done.Linda Stollhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15568264417855502332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-1486723933428843232016-01-11T10:01:55.082-08:002016-01-11T10:01:55.082-08:00We are here with you!
Praying that God helps yo...We are here with you! <br /><br />Praying that God helps you continue to see how the here-and-now still has value, despite everything.Sarah Eliza @ devastateboredomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18178682145271558368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-30252901977877108492016-01-11T09:55:12.567-08:002016-01-11T09:55:12.567-08:00Making sure your wife is cared for and sharing wha...Making sure your wife is cared for and sharing what you love about her where she'll see or hear it when you're gone will mean a lot to her. I'm speaking from experience.Janet Ann Collinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13234310280477491538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-89324860540195897562016-01-11T09:15:13.693-08:002016-01-11T09:15:13.693-08:00Andrew, I'm so thankful you commented on my bl...Andrew, I'm so thankful you commented on my blog which lead me to yours. I count it a privilege to pray for you and your dear Barbara as you navigate your way home. May God bless you with physical comfort and endless grace today. "Showing up" is the hard part in many of life's situations, none more so than yours. And showing up takes courage - and strength - and faith. Keep pressing on, Andrew. Your work here is clearly not finished yet. Blessings, Lisa @lisacook1914.blogspot.comLisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03250167563862252417noreply@blogger.com