Thursday, May 30

Catching up and Grace at Home


When I was younger, I sometimes felt that life seemed little dull, that there was too much same-old-same-old. Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever wished something exciting would happen?

These days, I find myself longing for some same-old-same-old days. The past couple of weeks serve as perfect examples of how my heart can be yanked from one kind of event to the next, with scarcely a moment to catch my breath in between.

One of the events was a wonderful one: the high school graduation of my beloved niece Sadie. She's a tiny powerhouse: a brilliant mind and a glorious spirit housed in a beautiful person.


Here she is giving the valedictory address at her school:


To say that I'm proud to be her aunt would be a great understatement. I thought my heart would beat out of my chest as I listened to her.

But in the very same week as this celebration came one of the saddest events of my life: the death of my precious Aunt Laura. Aunt Laura was married to my beloved namesake, my Uncle Richard. She had just turned 70. Seeing my Uncle seated beside her casket rather than with her at his side nearly did me in.


Hundreds and hundreds of people came to the funeral home to pay their respects. Finally we got a photo of some of the family who had gathered:


To say that I'm sad at my aunt's passing would also be a huge understatement.

This is life, isn't it? We grieve and we celebrate. We mourn and we dance. And in the midst of it all, we try to make our homes places of grace.

I'm grateful that you've come here to share the ways you're making your home a place of grace, so even with my heart nearly bursting, I'm privileged to host this party. I invite you to link posts about
  • DIY projects
  • decorating
  • recipes
  • hospitality
  • homemaking tips
  • parenting
  • marriage
  • faith
  • self-care
  • soul care
Whatever you do to make your home a place of grace, I'd like to hear about it.  Here's what I ask of you.  Please include the permalink to your post, not your blog's home page.  Please let people know that you've linked up.  No more than three posts per person, please.  Note that if you link a post here, you are giving me permission to share your post, including a photo.  And visit at least one of the other party participants--that's what really makes it a party!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!
Click here to enter


9 comments:

  1. So sorry for your loss....Thanks so much for hosting!!
    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  2. So true. Life is just that ...celebrating and mourning. Hills and valleys. I have remembered quotes from two different books. One was a upper elementary book I read (former teacher) that had the phrase Life Goes On all through it. It was a book about loss and that is it true. Sometimes it takes a bit longer to get on with it. Another was a Karen Kingsbury book where the two sisters were coming out of a time of loss and trial and said they wanted to enjoy the good moment they were in before the next thing came. I didn't see that as a downer statement, but just true. I think we need to truly celebrate when things are good and graduations, birthdays, and weddings, etc.

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  3. So sorry for your loss and so thrilled for your graduation. You're right--life is just like that. We come into this life and go back home, trying to learn what we're supposed to along the way. "Grief is the price we pay for love." I hope your family can find peace and joy through it.

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  4. So often in this season of life joy and sorrow are close neighbors.
    Thank you for sharing both with us here.

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  5. Popping by from #Chasing MY Life to share my Boston Baked Beans, Chili Lime Steak Bites and Honeyed Bogs this week. I hope you have a WONDERFUL week.

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  6. Thank you so much for hosting for us this week.
    Blessings,
    Fabby

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  7. Happy and sad for your recent life events, Richella. Congrats to your deserving niece. I love how you describe her. And it's so sad to read of your aunt. She was one of my Panoply sisters' age. Way to young to die!

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  8. I am really sorry about your Aunt Laura. Your uncle is way too young to lose his wife.

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  9. We have had a similar season. Two funerals and two graduations in less than a month. Praise Him that we don't grieve as those who are without hope.

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