Hard Things

We took the day off from the Bishop's Storehouse yesterday.  It was the anniversary of our sealing to each other in the temple - 53 years ago.  We celebrated in our own quiet way - morning walk (a bit later than usual, just slept in a bit), Saturday chores, then steak dinner (yay for gift cards), a walk around a new-to-us store and a splurge on ice cream after a streamed movie.  I'm grateful we've pledged our lives to each other forever.

I noticed some white stuff scattered all across the back lawn.  Ignored it for the time being.  This morning, The Husband was out bright and early checking to see what it was.  I told him I thought it was feathers.  Yup.  Another occasion where some raptor or predator of some kind has dined on a smaller bird in our yard.  I know it's the circle of life of our world.  It still can be hard, especially when it's in our backyard.  I always wonder what we were doing and why didn't we notice the ravaging going on back there.

Church today:  walked in and said hi to a friend of ours in the building's media center.  He told us about our friend who was killed in an accident while on a motorcycle trip in Montana. Another really hard thing.  Don't know how his wife will manage this.  We do know the plan.  We understand earthly life ends.  It's still a shock when it happens.  Too many sad things happening lately.

The other morning I took a picture of one raspberry bush just off the road.  Their garden is large and lush and I so love to see the produce.  I think The Husband is missing not having his garden this year.  I, too, miss the small variety of things he grows, but don't miss all the time and effort (and gnats/bugs). Maybe next year.

We keep talking about a trip.  Both of us are so very disappointed to not be able to go to the Mediterranean with our friends.  It was so fabulous to be invited along on their cruise.  For some unknown reason I've been dragging-my-feet-reluctant to plan anything this year but have almost lost that reluctance and am nearly ready to go somewhere. Wondering if late September will be too late in the year, or if we won't care, will want to go anyway?

Grateful today for some time still with The Husband.  Our situation is messy and uncomfortable (as life often is) but I'm determined to do the best with the time left to find some joy in being together. Grateful for the knowledge that our Heavenly Father is in the trenches with us and that our Savior will never abandon us, no matter what it feels like in the moment.