Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17
When I’m tempted to start my day with worry, sadness, frustration or disappointment, I turn my eyes upward and focus on God who is the source of my joy. Then I muster up the will to find the good and perfect gifts throughout the day. They are here but the negative emotions can cloud my ability to see them.
In my grief, I know how important it is to feel my emotions and not bottle them up. I shared a part of my grief journey in A Way Through.
I have a myriad of emotions that rise up in me daily. I don’t stuff them but try hard not to wallow in them either. That has been a choice. It’s a choice that recycles my emotional pain and takes me to positive places in my heart and mind.
The photo above is from Valentine’s Day 2020 … right before the pandemic. It popped up as a feature photo on my phone and my heart dropped. Oh how I miss him, I thought. My emotions began to take me down the rabbit hole of sadness and for longings to have Bob with me again.
But as I looked at it for awhile I put myself back in the picture, sitting across from Bob in the little restaurant called Dr. Rolfs Barbecue.
I remembered the white chicken chili we had for lunch, what we were talking and laughing about and how Bob picked up his straw like he was smoking. I shook my head but he kept making me laugh so I finally snapped the photo with my phone. I’m glad I have it now.
We talked about how we enjoyed the waffles that they made fresh daily. A small slice was included with each bowl of chili but before that day we had never ordered the dessert waffles. The plate of waffles topped with strawberries and whipped cream that was pictured on the menu caught my attention. Bob said, “It’s Valentine’s Day, let’s order it.” And we did.
After lunch we took a walk through the streets of downtown before going home.
I give thanks for this Valentine’s Day memory.
The memories are a gift. In a world that can often be dark and troublesome, there are still good and perfect gifts everywhere. Sometimes the hard places are gifts too, because they bring us to the Creator of everything perfect and good who helps us through all things.
Go hug a loved one. Count your gifts. Someday they will be wonderful memories to relive and you’ll carry them in your heart forever.
Blessings,
Nancy
Pens and Journals 
I love that picture of Bob……so happy just joking around with you….such joy on his face….what a gift for you to have and to share. I’m so glad we have each other to bounce off our feelings with…..what a gift to open our hearts to each other. Thank you for such a visit today, my friend. Love you❤️❤️
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It was wonderful to see you today and to open up our hearts on this Valentine’s Day! Love you!
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Love that photo! Such a happy memory for you! It truly is a gift from God. Thanks for sharing your heart with us as you so graciously do. Love you! ❤️
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May God especially fill your heart with his love today❤️
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Thank you, Bernadette. He’s always been faithful and through this grief journey I’m feeling even more of His steadfast love than ever before.
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Reminders can surface in such unexpected ways. Sending you a big hug this Valentine’s Day ❤
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Thanks for reading, Rosaliene. Sending Valentine hugs to you too! ❤️
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What a wonderful picture, post, and beautiful memories! Thank you, Nancy, for letting us in as you process and cherish all the love that you and Bob shared – and still do!! ❤ ❤ ❤
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Thank you, Wynne. Writing really helps the process ❤️
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I’m glad you have so many wonderful memories! Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you, Dawn. ❤️
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What an incredible picture, Nancy. You captured both the happiness and humor twinkling in his eyes. Thank you for sharing this page in your journey journal. As a emotion stuffer, you inspire me with your words, “I have a myriad of emotions that rise up in me daily. I don’t stuff them but try hard not to wallow in them either. That has been a choice. It’s a choice that recycles my pain and takes me to positive places in my heart and mind.” I stuff because I don’t want to wallow but you show that there is a middle ground that is fruitful.
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Thank you, Beth. I love the picture too. I forgot all about it until it popped up on my phone and then, of course, the memories surfaced. I used to be an emotional stuffer too but learned … especially more so through my grief … that it’s not healthy to stuff them. I’m learning how to release and not wallow. I feel God’s comfort more when I let them flow for awhile. Thank you for your comment.
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Such a beautiful post! You are so right…we must choose each day to celebrate the gifts before us. Our Heavenly Father is the giver of all good gifts. He has promised to provide for us every day of our lives. And so, we must trust in His provision, knowing that our cup of blessing will never run dry. How blessed we are with the love God bestows upon us. We see His love like a banner wherever we look. It is there for us when we focus on Him and His unending love and mercy. Thank you for this post…a little gift we get to open today! 🙂
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Thank you for your lovely; inspiring comment, Linda. I love how you said that our cup of blessings will never run dry. It’s always good to hear from you, my friend. ❤️
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So much love in this post and in the photograph of Bob. This made me tear up. I can’t imagine how many you have shed. But I know God is collecting each one of them. Hugs.
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Thank you, Wendy. Although bittersweet I do find comfort in the wonderful times we shared that are just memories now. The memories are a gift too.
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