Some of you will remember that I was dreading stepping on the scale at Weight Watchers, after a cruise and my daughter’s birthday party, which included pizza, cake and ice cream. 
Guess what happened! I actually LOST two tenths of a pound. And that, my friends, is yet another miracle.
I’m on Day 82 of keeping my grateful-for-everything journal, which means I write down the good stuff as well as the not-so-good stuff. I can’t say enough about the transformative effect of this exercise; as I’ve said before, there was nothing dramatic. Not in the outer world, that is. But in the inner world? Holy Thunderstruck, Batman. Insights, ideas, reminders–small problems dissolving as if by magic, often because I started thinking about them in another way. Or because–gasp–I asked someone for help. My mother is making the shift to assisted living, and this is not easy for any of us, but I was practically staggering under the weight of it all. Then I contacted my three siblings, all of whom were more than happy to lend a hand–Jerry is doing the paperwork and a lot of the lifting and carrying, Pam drove over from the other side of the state to sort clothes Mom doesn’t need, and Sally is coming soon as well. Phew! Of course it’s still a difficult situation, but things are coming together. Mom will be much happier and much safer in the new place and that, naturally, is the most important element.
Each morning, when I read my devotionals and do some journaling, I am restored, ready for a new day. I often copy down quotes I come across, using 3×5 index cards, so I can remember the take-away. This morning, a prayer from Melody Beattie’s “More Language of Letting Go” really struck me. The origin is the AA literature, and this is the part I copies down: “Send me the next right thought, word or action. Show me what my next step should be.”
I love that. Don’t you?
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I lost my mom last month, following the loss of my oldest son last summer. Sometimes I feel so overwhelmed but I remember two thoughts and my shoulders don’t feel quite so heavy: If He brings you to it He’ll bring you through it, and It’s in God’s hands. Those two thoughts have gotten me through a lot.
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I’m so sorry to hear of your losses. You are very sweet, and very brave, to share your ways of coping. God bless you and yours. You are in my prayers.
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Thank you for your blogs! Gives me insight on how others manage. I always say. Jesus hold my hand and get me through this. Pain , etc. Hope your mom soes well and adjusts well. God Bless as always! Evelyn
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Congratulations on your weight loss. You must have been better behaved than you thought! I am sure your internal changes have a part to play as stress makes us gain weight. Keep up the good work – you are an inspiration!
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Linda, I’m glad you asked for help and got it. Getting it after asking for it is the best part. You must have a fantastic family, which is, in my opinion, another MIRACLE.
I pray your mom settles down in her new place and is happy there. Will she be closer to you, or further away? I hope closer.
Congratulations on the weight loss. Every ounce counts.
Have a god and Godly weekend, ahead.
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That should have been a “good and Godly” weekend. Sorry!
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Linda, I just went back to your last Blog and you have over 200 comments.
I have to say that I’ve never seen anyone who got that many comments.
The thing about your Blog, I think, is that all the people who comment interact, not only with you, but with each other, with words of love, encouragement, and as a sounding board for each other.
Most Blogs are so impersonal. The author tells their thing, and the people comment and if they don’t like what you say, they leave it out, sometimes taking the whole comment out. With your Blog, the comment goes right up there the instant we hit SUBMIT for all the world to see.
Thank you, Linda, for this privilege to interact with you and all your readers.
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Mom will be much closer, which is a definite plus. As of now, it’s a 45 minute drive. After the move, she’ll be just across the valley.
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I do. Perfect for every situation.
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Hope your Mom enjoys living in Assisted Living. Everyone that I have ever known that moved into such a place has grown to love it. It offers independence, and at the same time help when needed. Plus she will get to meet new people and make friends.
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Linda,
So glad you didn’t gain. That is so wonderful. Your metabolism must be high.
Also glad you have found a place for your Mother. That will take a lot of stress off your shoulders.
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I love the quote and I am going to try to remember it. I know it is hard to have your Mother go to assisted living. My Mom broke her leg very badly last year. She had to go to rehab and ended up entering a nursing home. She was not happy but they had discovered age related dementia. They think she had it a long time but was able to mask it when she was in her home here in NYS. When she moved to Florida to be close to my sister, it was not so easy. We had been saying something was wrong we just didn’t know what. Mom passed away in January but she was 90 yrs old. She lived a good, long life.
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I’m deeply sorry for your loss. Nobody loves us like our mom.
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Congrats on not gaining weight through all your parties and such. All I have to is look and food and gain weight. I just took my excercise bike ride because we have snow and I can’t get out an walk. I hope to see spring soon. I am so glad you found a nice place for your mom, I know its hard I have been there myself. Have a wonderful day!
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My thoughts and prayers are with your family and your Mom. Doesn’t it feel good to go to WW and not gain??? Lots of swimming and walking!!!! Good job!
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Hi Linda your message was meant for me this morning, well the just the inspirational vibe part of it any how. We lost a family member last night and that always makes one question things but I am firm in my beliefs and I know she is now with my Redeemer. Oh how happy she must be!!
Thanks Lynn
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I am so sorry for your loss.
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My sympathies on your loss. God be with you and yours.
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Heartfelt prayers to you, your siblings and your mom as she transitions into her new lifestyle. It is a challenging time for all.
Your journaling is inspiring… you are inspiring.
Be well
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I remember putting my mom in the nursing home.It wasn’t easy,but it was for the best. She’s gone now and I really miss her.So,please enjoy yours while you can.
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When handling a large move or any large project you need to delicate. My parents just moved to Austin, Texas where they will be spending winters now and my sister was trying to do everything and I told her she needs to delicate, I can do some things and my parents can do things as well.
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Yes love it
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Good job on the weight Watchers check in! Don’t ya love it when that happens?
And yes, I love keeping a gratitude journal. My days are much more stressful when I don’t make time to do my devotionals in the morning. I will also copy down quotes, but I also like pictures. So I copy/paste pictures with quotes I run across on my Facebook inspirational pages. I’ll put them on a document page and then print them out when the page is full. I have the pages in a 3 ring binder. I’ve been doing that and the journal for about 2 years now. I like to go back and look at the quotes and pictures that struck me at different times in my life. It’s pretty interesting.
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What a terrific idea! Thank you so much for sharing.
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So glad you Mom is doing well with the transition to assisted living. It looks like asking for help from siblings was the best thing you could have done. Your journal seems to be working well.
Congratulations on your weight loss despite all your partying.
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I love and collect quotes too. That is a very good one. My most memorable ones are from Kris Kristofferson.
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Congratulations on your weight lose! Every bit helps even if the needle doesn’t move, you’re ahead of the game.
It’s great that your siblings have stepped up and helped out with the move your “mom”. You all want the same thing for her, comfort, good care, and to be in a safe environment and together you are all making it happen.
Have a great weekend!
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Asking for help is very hard. You over came that and your mom will benefit from the less stress on you. Glad to hear your family is pitching in to help. Some families din ‘ do that. Love to all.
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I always enjoy your blogs, so sorry that your mom needs to go into PERSONAL CARE : BUT these people are trained for all needs . This mornings Devotional that I read was titled SEASONS OF THE SOUL it ended with , ” The seasons of the soul develop the depth of our roots in the grace of God “
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I do love that. Congratulations on the weight loss!!! Fantastic. Enjoyed your blog today, Linda. Blessings.
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My thoughts are with you. About 6 years ago we went through the same thing with getting Mom situated. Fortunately, the three sisters were able to work together to make it as painless as possible.
God bless!
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I love your blog. You are such an inspiration . I am going to start my own journal. Many blessings. Monika
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I have been through that same thing with my mom, so I know what you guys are going through. Many blessings to you and your family. Congrats on the weight loss!!
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I’, so glad you are getting your Mother into asst. living. The one I visited for my aunt before she passed was great and the
residents looked very happy and active. Kind of a little club
attitude. Yes, I believe I remember that quote from AA and
I ask God every morning something similar prior to getting out
of bed. Some days I need direction!
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Confession time. My delegating is weak. My gratitude journal lonely. My dependence on your uplifting blog is growing!
I Hope all goes smoothly with your mom’s transition.
Blessings,
Lorelei
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So glad your family came through when you asked for help. Hope you have a wonderful weekend !
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I’m glad you have a supportive family. It’s great to hear about your unexpected weight loss. I just knew I would gain weight after I had surgery. I wasn’t allowed to lift more than 6 lbs or able to do much. Should have heard my vocal reaction to finding out I lost 12 lbs. Lol. Hope you have a great weekend.
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Prayers for your Mom to get settled in, loved the quote!!! Have a blessed day!!!
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Yes, your quote is really good. When I was going through difficult times my best Alanon quote was, “Fake it until you make it”. For some reason it gave me the permission I needed to get by. Also that treading water was an active action!!