Retreat

For the first time in about four years all the stars aligned and I was able to go on our church's "Women's Retreat" for the weekend. Once Hubby got so awful that it was not safe to leave the boys for a weekend away I stopped all such travels. Now that my mother is finally retired (she retired from full-time high school teacher at age 82! Go Mom!) she can stay with the boys.

These retreats are of an inspirational nature. This one focused on "cups" and filling our cup and emptying our cup and how God holds us in both hands like a cup et al. Most of this stuff is simply common sense if you think about it; but whoever thinks about it unless one is on a lovely retreat in a beautiful lakeside conference center? So - that makes such retreats a good thing to go on.

Another thing that the retreat reminded me of (and which is a bit of a "theme" of our little blog community) is the idea that one is not alone in one's suffering. Often times we look at others and think that they have it all together only to discover that they are struggling with some awful stuff! Things discovered on this retreat included family member suicides, sons in prison, extreme anxiety disorders.... all confessed by outwardly calm, collected, beautifully-coiffed women. Many were unaware of the situation that I had gone through with Hubby. It all makes one feel better to know that one is not alone.

My wish for all readers today is that you get a "retreat". Maybe you don't get a nice weekend getaway to the lake but I hope you are able to take a few moments of alone time and silence. You are not alone - my thoughts are always with you.

The other day I was listening to the soundtrack to the movie, The Crow. I know - dreadful stuff - one of Hubby's favorite movies (he had terrible taste in movies - the more blood, the better!) but the soundtrack is a wonderful "set piece" of early 90's industrial music. I mean, it had been FOREVER since I had listened to Nine Inch Nails or Rage Against The Machine...took me back!

Lyrics of one song struck me as appropriate here: "Oh, it won't rain all the time. The sky won't fall forever. And though the night seems long, your tears won't fall forever." Here's to the morning for all of us....