Support

I started off the first week of my new "schedule" pretty good and then slacked off in a major way.  It's just hard to find the time in the evenings to sit down and blog after Ann is in bed and the daily chores are complete.  Sounds like I live on a farm and need to feed the animals and collect the eggs nightly or something.  I'll assure you that is not the case even though Ann, Tara and Bernie are messy enough to be considered farm animals.  By chores I mean, clean up Ann's daily mess and fold some laundry... maybe eat a bowl of ice cream and watch trash on television.  Nothing earth shattering but considering I fall asleep on the couch in John's lap on average by 8:45 pm you can understand why spending 30 minutes on the computer is hard to do. 

So, that explains that.

We've been the normal busy and then enjoyed a relaxing and much needed weekend in Russellville with John's family.  John had a fun boys weekend hunting so Ann and I loaded up with the dogs and inundated John's parents with our craziness.  They welcome us every single time and take such good care of us.  Wonderful food at any point in the day, John's Dad takes care of the fur babies for us, John's Mom takes over Ann and lets me enjoy a good book, sleep in, go shopping... whatever it is that is helpful they are there for us.  Not just in person but at any point in time.  I have to say that I cannot imagine a better family to have joined.  Super lucky and I always say a prayer of thanks to God for blessing John and I with the families we have.  I'm finding it seems more common than not to not have the support system that we were both raised with.  Another topic for another day but I am increasingly bothered by this the more I am exposed to children.  So, be thankful for everyone in your life that provides support on any level because so many children, adults and elderly do not have those systems.

This leads me to another subject related to the power of support that has really affected me as I'm sure it has many of you who have been exposed to this tragedy.  I won't go into a lot of detail but will link to Julee Turner's blog so you can get to know this dear family who is experiencing an unbelievable tragedy right now.  Julee lost her husband, Matt Turner, in a car accident Sunday and when I heard the news my heart began a physical descent into sorrow.  I don't know her personally but we have some mutual friends and I was familiar with her blog as well as her husband through our local NBC affiliate KNWA.  Matt was our evening news anchor for years until he received a job in Little Rock, where they had recently moved.  I know there are tragedies such as this daily and my heart hurts for every family who has to say goodbye to a loved one suddenly or earlier than what we think is "their time".  I think I am personally affected by this on another level because this family appeared to be in the same phase of life that John and I are.  They have a 10 month old daughter Preslee and were just enjoying life as a young family not expecting or anticipating anything such as this.  I seriously cannot stop placing myself in Julee's shoes and wondering how I would be able to keep on without John.  It is a pain I'm sure no one can know until they experience it and I pray every day that I am not subjected to it.  The only semblance of it I have ever felt was this time last year when John told me he had melanoma.  Our life and our new baby girls' life flashed before my eyes and I remember thinking, is this God's plan for us?  Is this my burden?  I think I spoke of it on my blog.  What has been so amazing is the amount of support, love, concern, prayers and devotion our entire state has shown this family.  Most everyone knows who he is because of his public job but even people who do not are feeling obligated to do something, anything, to help.  I cannot turn around in Northwest Arkansas and not see another venue or outlet provided to send support in some way.  This family is feeling these things too, they are enveloped in support and it is uplifting them I'm sure.

Sometimes it takes a tragedy to remind us to slow down and refocus.  I'm refocused on my family and what is important.  I try to take a minute daily to do this but you can get to where you forget what you're really saying thank you for and I do not think we should ever risk forgetting what we are thankful for.  Make that extra effort.  Support someone, anyone.  A stranger, a family in a less than desirable situation, your own family member, a coworker.  Anyone.  Support can be as small as an encouraging word or as big as setting up an event to help someone who cannot necessarily help themselves right now.  My Dad has a friend who is going through a very tough time as a result of a stroke and they are putting on a fundraiser for him.  He needs help and doesn't have the family support therefore his friends are providing it.  He would be in a very bad place without this network and thank goodness they are there and willing.  Not everyone has that and if you can be a small start to it then jump at that chance.  I have never heard someone say they regretted praying for, helping or providing encouragement to a person in need.  The need does not have to be a great need nor does it have to be in answer to a tragedy, although those are usually the times that snap things back into perspective, it just needs to make someones day better and uplift them.  You need not be asked either.  You can usually tell when someone could use a little support.

I didn't mean for this to get preachy but I have been unable to think of much else than this family and the only encouragement has been the outpouring of support from complete strangers to this family.

If you want to help them you can access a lot of information on KNWA's website.

Much love to all and take a minute to say thank you.  We all have blessings in our life and every blessing is a blessing from God.

Two of my blessings