Gratitude and Grieving

Thank you, thank you, thank you!  I wanted to let all of my readers know how extremely grateful for all the sweet and wonderful comments that have been pouring in for my recent posts, including my daughter's room.  I feel so fortunate that it was featured at some wonderful blogs this past week.  Even though I've had this blog for the last couple of years, it's only recently that my life has settled down enough to nurture it and I can't tell you how much I've enjoy it!  In many ways, I'm a newbie blogger and I'm still at the point of feeling so much excitement for every comment that is left for me and thinking, "Wow, they really like it?!"  Since moving across the country and leaving behind family, friends, and all the wonderful antique shows that I was able to be a part of, I've feel as though I've lost a little part of me, but blogging has really helped give this stay-at-home mom a bit of purpose and the ability to connect with such kind, talented people.  I really look forward to all the sharing, learning, and inspiration that the wonderful world of blogging opens up for us.

On another note, I apologize for being a bit absent this past week.  My heart has been heavy and my thoughts on family for the last several days.  My beautiful, vibrant cousin has been battling leukemia for the last several years and her prognosis took a turn for the worse late last week.  She is a wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend to many.  In my childhood years, she lived right down the road from me and we share some wonderful memories of times on the family dairy farm. I feel fortunate that I've been able to visit her this week as she relocated to North Carolina several years ago. 

I struggle with times such as this... to trust in God that He has a plan when those in the prime of their lives are returned to Him, leaving behind young families.  My own father passed away from cancer in his early-40's when I was 15, so naturally my thoughts turn to her husband and children and I pray for peace and strength in these days.  Times such as these are a reminder that lives can change at the blink of an eye... Hug your babies, young and old, say "I Love You", and cherish those moments with loved ones.  I don't think we can ever be reminded of this enough...

Kristen