Issue link: http://fcfc.uberflip.com/i/1285211
What happens after they're gone? There is no exact timetable for saying good-bye. My good-bye to Howard (my life mate for 47 years) was unexpected to say the least, right up until he passed we were still talking about what we were going to do when we got through this particularly difficult time. For 2 months I thought I was one of those rare individuals who had the ability to put my emotions on hold to be able to get through the to-do list. Other members of my family were doing the same thing. I wondered when and how the flood gates would open. As I got closer to that time, I found making the simplest decisions were getting more difficult. When it finally happened I sat for 2 days with the tears slowly running down my face. Everything was a trigger and nothing was a trigger. I didn't want to move from the couch, I just wanted to sit and give into my grief, but there were still so many things to be done. I realize the difference now when the tears start to well up behind my eyes I'm not as afraid to feel the emotions. I am very lucky to have a very close and special friend who is holding my hand through it all. She reminds me that what I'm feeling and doing is normal. She also reminds me who I am in Christ Jesus and that my Heavenly Father is always with me. Her perspective is unique in that she is still saying good-bye to her own life mate of 35yrs. She has reminded me that God's timing is always perfect and he is working in the background on my behalf before I even ask for his help Other than your life mate there is no one who really knows you, with the exception of your Heaven Father. He created me - how I think, why I do the things I do, how I deal with or don't deal with my emotions. We are all told he is always with us which is true. But when a husband dies he steps in to give her the cover of protection and safety that her mate provided before. Having to still deal with the world when it comes to living expenses, bills that need to be paid and the mountains of paperwork to get through is stressful, yet I know He is holding my hand and I can feel Him next to at every moment. I have always been able to visualize climbing up into my father's lap for comfort and peace, so now it is even a greater sense of belonging to Him. He tells me every moment that He is here and do not be afraid. It does not matter who you are or what your needs are He is waiting for you to let Him help you. Deborah Cheney We have been having some financial hardships the last few months. It was challenging dealing with collec on calls and the scraping for enough money to put in the gas tank. Yet when we wanted to throw up our hands and quit we would choose to say "God's got it." We didn't know how or when, we just chose to believe the Word. This week we've been able to pay ALL the outstanding bills! Praise God! Anonymous 5