Overcoming Grief

 

Losing both of your parents in the same year is truly heartbreaking. But it also provides tender mercies from the Lord to show you that He is in the details of your life. He knows the pain you are feeling because He already experienced everyone's pain, illness, etc. when He paid the ultimate price so that we may return to heaven and live with them for eternity if we follow Him.

My dad died in January 2022 and my mom died in December 2022, because neither of them went in for regular check-ups with their doctors. My mother went downhill shortly after my father died, probably from her grief over losing her husband of 52 years.

On March 31, 2023, Billy, Mirna and I took our parent's names to the Manhattan Temple, so we are now sealed to them. 

Uncle Fred

I love and miss my uncle Fred. He's my mom's brother, and is six years older then her. This picture was from his visit in April 2014 when he visited us in Houston.

He now lives in Florida and I plan to visit him in March. Uncle Fred had a stroke and heart attack almost three years ago, and was fortunate to survive.

Son of God

www.gregolsen.com

I'm immensely grateful for the gift of God's Son, whose birth we celebrate each year. My goal in remembering my blessings is that I share the light that He gave me to shine in this darkening world. I often forget that though I may not be famous, I can light my corner of the world.

Angels and Family History

I believe in angels, especially our ancestors. Jim, Billy and Mirna, and Mom and I have performed the temple ordinances on behalf of our family who didn't receive the Gospel during their mortal life. I am so grateful to be a member of His living Church and am trying to prepare for the Second Coming.

I look forward to moving to Southern Utah next summer! It will be wonderful to live so close to the Cedar City temple so we can go to the temple and continue working on behalf of our ancestors who helped bring us to the earth.

New Pain

I must have hurt something while I was cleaning up the playroom upstairs on Friday. My lower-to-mid back was hurting until this morning when I apparently had enough ibuprofen in my system to ease the ache.

Tonight as I write this, the pain is returning a little. I guess it's time for another dose of ibuprofen before bedtime. I didn't work at the library this morning because the pain kept me up after I went to the bathroom around 2 am. I showered and napped until almost 11:00 when mom called.

We had thunder and lightening tonight but still no rain, it was such a tease! I hope we receive rain soon; we are so dry that wild fires start and have burnt down homes and parts of the George Bush park off of Westheimer Rd.

My ankle hurts again most likely from walking today. I scheduled an appointment with Dr. Skaribas for next Tuesday to help me manage my pain. Jim works for him (iMed is the doctor's IT department) and gave him a shot for his shoulder in late June and recommended that I go since my pain is spreading more to my feet and right ankle.

I am grateful for the love and guidance of the Savior during my painful trials, and have always felt His protection. I feel the love and understanding of my loving Heavenly Father who is aware of all of my trials, even the struggles with Seth's outbursts and Noah's health problems. I need to focus on reading the scriptures and praying (personal prayers) in the morning, during meals, and my nightly prayers. We need to read the scriptures with Seth and Noah as well on a daily basis, and pray each morning for them to have a positive day at school, and the strength to endure the bad days with a feeling of peace in their hearts.

I am blesseed to have Jim as a wonderful husband and father.

Parents coming, Noah's eye visit....

Last night Uncle Fred called and asked about my plan for my parents and Billy to visit/move to Houston with me. He believes it's the best plan for them as do I, and will pay for my plane ticket to Pittsburgh on November 8th so I can drive them to my house. The good thing about driving Billy's car is that they will have a car to explore on their own if they want to.

I'm worried discussing this with dad, but oh well. I want to beat the holiday travelers and the snow, while hopefully putting their house on the market.

I took Noah to the eye doctor this morning and received bad news. His right eye sways to the right, I guess from lazy eye, and the sight in his right eye has weakened. If he wears his glasses all the time and his vision/lazy eye improves, then he can avoid surgery to his eye muscle....

He has to wear an eye patch after school with his glasses on while building Leggos so his eye and hands will force him to concentrate on putting the pieces together. I hope this works, because two surgeries next summer will be dreadful.  :(

Pain

I've been in pain the last four days from overusing my shoulder. My shoulder pain flared up more while I worked at the library Tuesday morning during my shift. I work as a volunteer once a week checking books in/out and shelving the checked-in books. I like it in spite of the pain.

My legs and feet have been hurting as well, so I've had to try and balance standing and sitting and not using my arms/shoulder in repetitive motions.

I wish my pain would go away, but I realize that this is my trial while here in mortal life: dealing with family, stress, etc. while in pain instead of laying in bed.