Hey...it's been awhile since my last blog. Hope you all are well.
Lots of things have been happening in our lives. Evan graduated and his party was a huge success. He chose the work-field to begin his life away from high school. He has grown into a nice young man. Lots more responsibilities when you are a "graduated adult". Lots of lessons to be learned over the next few years but we are excited for him to spread his wings.
Last night was another tough night for me. Glen "Bubba" was being honored as a part of the top 20 for the All Decade Team for Thunder Football. Terry and I accepted the award in his honor. I'd have rather accepted it because he was away at college preparing for college game day and not because he has died. I didn't want to walk out onto that field or see all the others receive their award, I wanted to be in the stands as the proud mom watching. I'm a long way from having peace in my life but I have learned some different tools to help with my grief. I am trying my best to keep surviving everyday and to "Live the Dash".
The retreat "Spark of Life" that I attended in March for grief has made an impact on me. Their motto is "Living Forward". I will be honest and say that initially I didn't think it made a difference except for the new friendships I had made. However, I was mistaken. As the months have passed since I attended I have learned and seen firsthand the impact this organization and the 4 compassionate people who run it has had. Not only in my life but in the others who attended with me and ones who I have never met but was able to read their responses after they attended.
I'd like to try and help others that are dealing with loss, whether it be loss of a loved one, health, job, house etc..
I was able to go to Arkansas and spend some time with the facilitators of the retreats, Rusty and Nancy Meadows and David and Debbie Mathews. I had a great time with them. I suggested to them that a retreat was much needed up here, in the "north".
I told them that I could get things together and lo and behold, I'm off and running. My niece Amanda is my partner in crime again. (She did a lot of work on the 5K which was a huge success.) So with all of that said. We are planning a Gala for Saturday December 1, 2012, to raise money to help pay for the costs of this retreat, the theme will be "A Night to Remember". The Spark of Life organization pays for the retreat so it is completely FREE to it's participants. The only cost for the participants is the transportation to and from the destination. I'm happy to say that we have booked March 7-10, 2013 at Cragun's Resort in Brainerd for our first retreat. Although the "Southerners" thought it crazy to do a retreat in the winter in Minnesota, I convinced them of the importance to break "Northerners" out of their houses in the long, cold winter; as we all know those of us up north often suffer from cabin fever!
We are so excited that we will be able to to host this Gala and raise funds for the first retreat in Minnesota.
We are still working on the details of the event and will be blogging as we go. Please let me know if you are interested in attending or helping with the Gala. Also, if you have questions about the retreat please contact me or go to their website. sparkoflife.org
Philippians 4:13
"I can do all things, through Christ who gives me strength."
Blog ya later,
LeAnne
