Trying to walk on....

This past 7 months have been really hard on me and my family.  March 10th my only son and baby of the family passed away.  I think that we are all still in a state of shock and disbelief because we were all with him just three days before his death.  My heart hurts so bad that it is a real physical pain there and I believe that I will always have the pain of that loss, but I must learn to walk again with that pain.  Without our belief in our God and Father, I don't know what we would do.  I found a very special support group on line and the link is below. 

www.road2healing.com

With the holidays coming up and family gatherings, it will be especially difficult.  There will always be that empty chair.  Praying for peace and comfort for all.

Dear God

Please God forgive the silent tear,

A constant wish that he was here.

Others were taken yes, we know,

But he was ours and we loved him so.

He bid no one a last goodbye.

He was gone before we knew it,

And only God knows why.

If all the world was ours to give

We'd give it all and more to see

That loving face of his once more.

For those who have someone who

Means a lot, treasure them with care,

For you never know their value

Till you see their vacant chair.

Written March 17, 2011

Loved with a love beyond all feeling

Missed with a grief beyond all tears.

Miss you my "Boo Boo" and I will love you forever and always.  Watch over us and let us feel your hugs and see the heart clouds.

XXXXOOOOXXXX

Wayne Austin Packard

Sunrise ~ December 11, 1974

Sunset ~ March 10, 2011

Our last time together. 3/7/11
Till we are all in heaven

What childhood memories does Fall conjure up for you???

With the thought of a possible light frost tonight...I've been thinking of my childhood...something I seem to do a lot of the older I get.  Having spent a very large portion of my younger years living back in Massachusetts...where, by the way, many Yankees seem to think that they have the monopoly on the Fall Season, I can't help but remember the sights and smells of that time so very long ago now. 

The season had surely come as the "Leaf Peepers" arrived from every state in the Union plus many other continents.  You would have thought that they had never seen Fall Foliage before...well maybe they hadn't.  It sure did help out the local economy when they arrived by the bus loads to take every possible picture that they could of every color of leaf possible.  Those of us lucky enough to live in the "Leaf Peeping" areas would often think of this colorful show nature put on for us each year as common place and take it far too much for granted.

It really wasn't until I moved away and no longer was privileged to the paint box of color on the leaves each Fall that I truly missed such sights.  So now as I ponder these memories, let me see if I can conjure up some memories for you too...


 

A visit to a local farm was always included for pumpkins, cider and hayrides.



And of course there was apple picking.  Somehow they DID taste so much better than the ones from the grocery store!





Who could find the biggest and most perfect pumpkin was always rivalry between my brother and I.



Once home, Daddy would help us with the carving of our pumpkins.  I really think now that he just didn't want us to slice ourselves or the table!



If we were lucky, we would be invited to a friends for a bonfire...toasted marshmallows and toasted toes!



 

Raking leaves...not a favorite chore.  I remember wishing for a big gust of wind to come and blow them into the neighbors yard.  Never worked that way though!

Sometimes we even got fresh Maple Syrup for our pancakes and waffles.  Daddy made the best pancakes and waffles and he still does!



Then there was Halloween...costumes and candy and who would get the most candy and the coolest costume.  Halloween was fun then.  Not the ugly and scary things that kids dream up now days!



The time change was and is still rather hard for me to adjust to.  Why do we even need it I wonder?  I resent losing that hour of sleep in the Fall.  Don't mind the extra hour in the Spring though.  Funny how that works!

Football, football, football.  With a son who ate, drank and slept football, to grandsons who take after their Dad and Uncle and then my husband who could watch it 24/7...Good thing I like football too!  GO Boomers!

The Fall isn't complete without THANKSGIVING...my daughter Amy's favorite meal all year.  So much a favorite that she saves THANKSGIVING to eat her turkey.  Won't eat it anyother time of the year and that is a fact.

Did you get the impression that Fall is my favorite time of year?  Yup, that's right so.....

Ah Maxine...gotta' love her!

Who doesn't love Maxine?  Well to add to my secret stash of Maxine witticisms, a dear friend sent me this one.  How did she know I started my Fall Diet just this morning????

How Very True It Is!!!!

Actually, I did start my new diet this morning and so far it is going well.  Now if I can just keep my evening munchies under control I will have one day down of 28.  Needless to say, last night I stuffed myself with all the goodies I can't have for the rest of my life perhaps.  Boy that "Big and Tasty", French Fries and Cinnamon Roll were delicious.  Guess I will have to hold on to that memory now, at least until the next gorge on Thanksgiving.

I am also signed up for "Lose Your Caboose with the Moose" at my local Moose Lodge.  And how is that going you may ask???  Well at least I haven't gained any weight since my first weigh-in.  Good luck to my team-mates!  We will win this guys.

Till Next Time....  Dottie

Welcoming the Fall

My favorite time of year is the Fall or Autumn as some prefer to call it. Maybe this goes back to spending most of my life living in New England where "Leaf Peepers" are a sure sign that the leaves are begining to turn their vibrant colors of Red and Gold and every shade in between.

Maybe I love the Fall because it means that November will soon be here with special birthdays to remember, mine being one of them. LOL Or that Thanksgiving is just around the corner...another favorite of mine.

Here is a little something that I wrote a few years ago:

What Thanksgiving Means

By Dottie Theriault

A nip is in the air and trees are looking bare But fallen leaves are clinging to the children's coats, sweaters and hair
As playfully they run through the yard and everywhere
Before the winters snow turns the scene once again
To sleds and slides and snow angels here and there.
Gathering family and friends inside, we open wide the doors.
And scents bring back the memories of gathering in years before.
Remember the plump roasted turkey, so golden brown it glowed
And how we each held our breath that it wouldn't hit the floor
As lifted from the pan with juices overflowed.
The smell of cinnamon and sage intermingled and entwined
To give us tasty morsels of stuffing and of pie.
Yes, all these memories of senses help to store
The precious gifts we hold on to from this day evermore.
But what is more important?
Is it the turkey or the pie?
No, it's the gathering of our family and friends
And perhaps sharing with a passer by..
Being Truly Thankful for the Love that surrounds us this Fall,
For it is a gift from Heaven
from our Lord God, above All!

© October 22, 2001 Dottie Austin Theriault

My Redeemer Lives

These past few weeks have been filled with ups and downs. Sickness and sorrow, healing and hope for tomorrow.

This following link reminds me that no matter what we may face in our life here on earth...one thing is always constant...I KNOW MY REDEEMER LIVES.




I am so very thankful for God and His love for me. I know that a Mother's love is one of the stongest emotions, we as humans, can feel. My children are my whole world to me as are all my grandchildren. I pray each day that God in His wisdom will hold them in the palm of His hand and that I will be strong enough to accept in faith His plan in all of our lives.

God Bless you all, each and every day. May you always know Our Father's Love.

Happy Fall Y'All

I'm so happy that it is finally Fall. This season has to be a running tie for me with Spring. Although I don't live in New England any longer, I still try to look for the signs of Fall. The clear crisp mornings, the Fall flowers showing their stuff, Football, the scent of cinnamon and spice...these all are things that make me Thankful for Fall.

Hope that where ever you are and what ever you do, stop to notice the changes. Too many times we are busy running ourselves ragged, we don't stop to appreciate our surroundings before they disappear.

HAPPY FALL Y'ALL!!

Ten Tiny Fingers and Toes

Ten Tiny Fingers and Toes

A little bit of heaven sent down for me to love.

You were the most beautiful baby a mother could have.

Your soft brown ringlets circling 'round your head.

And such beautiful brown eyes told me you had a bright future ahead.

Ten tiny fingers and toes were ever so sweet,

I can see them ere yet when my memories repeat.

You were my Angel to love and to nurture I knew

But how quickly time passed and you suddenly grew.

Now a fine young woman with your Angel loves you dream

With ten tiny fingers and toes that you have on your team.

How I wish I could go back to those days long ago.

How much I have missed but, how could I have known?

The days pass much to quickly and you're suddenly grown.

Copyright ©2001 Dottie Theriault