Tag Archives: friends

Be Riding the Waves of Grief

Wonderful Counsellor.

Beautiful friends.

Inspired women.

Prophetic words.

I have had the privilege to come across a few women with the gift of prophesy or in my words “a way to speak God’s words into their own life and those around them.” I am truly privileged.

My counsellor, whom I started seeing last winter, has this gift.

Every time that I see her she will share a metaphor about my life and this metaphor will be confirmed by two or more people within twenty four hours.

Here is the latest prophetic instalment brought up by my counsellor and confirmed by Emi and Jenny.

My counsellor was speaking about grief. I heard her say that grief is like an ocean. You are going along on your life path when suddenly tragedy strikes and there lies before you an ocean of grief. The only way to get across it is to row. Sometimes the ocean is calm and other times the waves are rough. Waves can also come out of nowhere. But rowing we must do through tears, sun, love, sadness… You get the picture.

Here’s a photo my counsellor gave me. I am looking forward to a ‘calm’ moment while riding the waves of grief.
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As we row this ocean of grief, I am grateful for God’s presence and the prophetic words of those around me.

This is not the end to my wave metaphor, but only the beginning…

After I returned home, I checked my email. My inbox had a message from my University roommate, Emi, who has paved the path of grief by losing her dad last spring.

Here’s Emi and her dad:

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Here’s what she wrote:

I’ve read through this a few times… Good for thought and much rings true for me…

The link is here BUT this is what struck me: The author is talking about fifteen things they wish they knew about grief.

Number 3 is that grief comes in waves.

Whew, time to lie down, but this ain’t the end.

This morning, we woke up and I dragged myself to cross country ski lessons with the boys. My new motto is fake it til I make it! I shed an ocean of tears behind my sunglasses as I met many friends who had just heard about beautiful mom not joining us up on the ski hill. I was honest and then exhausted.

But God continues to help me walk one step at a time as I ran into Jenny from Elle Mikal. She made the toques for our family. Take a look here and here!

The first thing Jenny said to me is that grief is like a wave. She always thinks about being on a surf board. She told me to grab my bikini to ride the waves.

Riding the waves.

My boys at my side.

Tears falling down.

God is my guide

——-/———/——–/——–/—-/—-

Beautiful photos from Jenny, each with a story I will keep close to my heart.

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Be Sharing Your Story – Jan & Don

I grew up on Clark Crescent. I think it was the best place in the world to grow up. Walking distance to schools, Moore’s Meadow and the store. Plus, we had the best neighbours.

Here’s our neighbours from three doors down. Mom and dad of three boys! Gotta love that!!

Hi Joanna and Michelle, Mike and all your family. I just wanted to add a bit to your wonderful blog. Some things I remember:

Your Mum -taking a course where she needed to study a child. She asked if she could do this with Ryan. I said sure as long as he was ok. Of course, easy going Ryan assented. Then you Mom said what if I do all three boys? Again. Sure if they are ok. So she did. Because all she did was confidential I never really knew what was asked or answered, but she did tell me they were classic: oldest, middle and youngest. When I see and hear of your fun exploits with your three boys Joanna, I can’t help but go back to my own years with 3boys.

Just one other thing. On your wedding day, when our friend Jean Rapaich was here at our home, doing your hair, I can’t begin to tell you how special it was to me. A GIRL in my home getting ready for her wedding day. Wow.

And your wonderful selfless Mom easily and willingly sharing that with me. Little things mean a lot. I picture Gwen- always with a wonderful smile on her face. And that’s the smile she is bestowing on your family now.

Sending love to all. Jan and Don

Be Sharing Your Story – Bev & Darryl

My dad’s “other brother Darryl” and his beautiful Bev came to visit today.

Here is their journey:

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They share a beautiful gift that children give us and the love of family. I wrote how butterflies seem to be a theme for us right now here.

And then I got this note:

Dear Jenkins Family,

It was so nice to see you all yesterday, and especially to be able to see Gwen and hold her hand for a few moments. We are all thinking about you so much and following your journey . It was such a coincidence today that our granddaughter , Isla, insisted on putting on her summer butterfly dress ( she made her Mom dig it out of the summer clothes box) and drew a butterfly picture for us. We truly feel the connection to everything you shared with us about butterflies and your Mom. We will think of her always when we see a beautiful butterfly. Our love and prayers are with you tonight.
Love to All
Darryl, Bev,Kristi, Shannon and Trinity

December 24th
Dear Joanna,

Words cannot express how saddened I am that your family must take this journey so early in your mother’s life. As has been said many times, her beautiful smile and infectious laugh will be missed by many. Her legacy will be the inner strength she has passed on to her two beautiful daughters. From the moment of birth we have to complete many journeys that God has asked us to do. This journey is one that your mother’s teaching will see you through. Let it be known that Steve (aka sexy neck) and Craig are blessed to have the Jenkins girls and families in their lives. When your Mom moves on to a new world your Dad will continue to help guide his family through these journeys. When I am travelling through the woods or at one of my favourite fishing haunts and a beautiful butterfly arrives I will be sure to know its significance. May you and your family find peace in your inner strength.

God bless.

Hugs to all.

Coach Darryl.

Be Having A Sunday Morning Update

Mom is having a deep rest this morning after her sleepover with M. She had her morning wash, tooth brush and massage. She loves having her back rubbed. She was even able to swing her legs over the edge of the bed and even had a sip of boost. Her first bit of nourishment in a week.

She was so happy to see her nephew Jamie and niece Marnie. She was waiting for them. She had the biggest smile when she saw Jamie and Marnie. She said, “Ahhhhh, Jamie!”

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We are just awaiting M’s girls and C to arrive.

Today, Wendy heads back up to PG to be our angel up there and spend time with her family. She was able to get to us first and help us in the hospital. She was a huge support and I couldn’t have made it through the last night in the hospital without her.

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Auntie Gail heads back to the Lower Mainland to be our angel down there. Her son, Dave, drove through the snow to get her here! Gail is the most incredibly caring sister i have seen. The respect and love she has for my mom is priceless. We are so grateful for them both.

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Uncle Bill also heads back to the Island. He is a pillar of strength for our family. My dad’s old business partner, confidante and just incredible man.

Gail and Bill saying goodbye:

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We couldn’t do this alone.

The strength you see in us is a reflection of God’s love, my mom’s and all of you back in the world who are holding us up in prayer and thought. My sister is a prayer warrior and she has literally held us up in prayer these last months. Her and C have done amazing feats to physically be here as well. What a pair!

This is a rich, beautiful, peaceful time. Mom is in no pain. We are enjoying sharing time as a family.

There is no fear in death. This is an incredible family time filled with tears, laughter, peace and sadness.

WE ARE PROUD TO BE MOM’S MIDWIVES THROUGH THIS PROCESS.

Be Making Gingerbread Playdough

A few years ago a friend gave us gingerbread playdough for Christmas. I must admit that we still have this playdough in our stash. It was a great gift. I absolutely love the smell of gingerbread and playing with the playdough makes the aroma spread around the room.

This year JC and I decided that we were going to make gingerbread playdough. I must admit, as an imperfect teacher and a mother, I have never made playdough. Shocking, I know.

I put all the dry ingredients into the pot. I was shocked again as I didn’t know you cooked playdough. We added in the water and the oil and began to stir. Playdough goes from this liquidy sticky dough into this chunky messy mixture and ends up being this beautiful smooth playdough. Who knew!

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Enjoy! Here is the recipe we used:

Ingredients

1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup salt
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 tbsp. ground cinnamon
2 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 tsp. ground cloves
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 cup water
1 tsp orange extract {optional}
Instructions

In a medium saucepan whisk together dry ingredients. Next mix in the water, oil, and orange extract and stir until a thick batter is formed. Cook the mixture over low/medium heat until a thick dough forms. Turn out onto parchment paper and knead until smooth. Makes about 2 cups of dough.

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I bought some Christmas takeout containers as well as some gingerbread men cookie cutters and viola gifts for the boys friends are done.

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Happy 2nd day of Advent. Christmas is coming. Enjoy each day.

Be Hanging With Your Baby Friends

friend
frɛnd/
noun
1.
a person with drives one hour, hops on a ferry and drive another four hours to come visit you.
2.
a person who also brings their six, four and two year old.
3.
a person who also brings food for your freezer, crafts and “meaty” conversation. (My friend is a vegetarian. 😉)

There is nothing like friends who go the extra mile.

I am extremely grateful for this mommy friend, D, coming to visit this weekend. Our boys have known her and her brood since they were all in utero.

Look at the fun we had:

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There is nothing like the friends you have known since you were a baby!