November 19 2015

November 19 2015 Greetings My Friend We have a house in Michigan that we are renting out due to the downturn in the housing market a few years ago and we owe more than it is worth. We have been blessed to have renters that make our house payment while we wait to come out even when we sell it. The first few times the renters left Junior and I headed up north to paint and clean up the house. It was a chance to check out the home and make repairs if they were needed. This year the trip seemed to be daunting so we asked our nephew if he would paint for us. Without hesitation he said he would and we are grateful. He sent pictures and then began the process of painting our house. This is the first time we have reached out and asked one of our children to help us out. We have been able to handle most of our struggles on our own. Junior and I are fairly much self sufficient. I have to admit that this gesture was refreshing for us. We don’t want to burden our children but sometimes an assist is nice. I long for them to move down to Virginia and have a sense of family to interact with. My niece lived with Junior and I for a year when her sister went through a divorce and could no longer keep her. For Junior and I it was like having a child of our own in a roundabout way. She was working her way through college and staying with us allowed her to continue with her education. This gesture has grown into a deep relationship on both of our parts. She will do whatever she and her husband can to help us out. Junior and I will do whatever we can to help her out if need be as well. We watch out for each other. Our own children are involved very little in our day to day lives. Divorce is like that sometimes. Through the years we have spent more holidays by ourselves than with our children. They tried, we tried but for some reason it did not work out for the most part. Our move to Virginia has meant that we spend holidays alone. None of our children have come to see us. I can feel lonely at times. We will go to the church potluck for Thanksgiving and to be honest this is a joy to share with our family of faith. Putting on a holiday meal is getting harder for me to do so Junior and I make a meal and enjoy the day alone. Sometimes we break out old movies and enjoy the afternoon in this way. We will giggle at the antics of our fur children and we are content. It took me several years to find this contentment. Today it is just another day. Junior and I have our holiday celebrations and it is okay. My lesson has been to learn to look to Jesus. I am grateful to have a good meal, a warm home. I focus on the gift Jesus has given each one of us if we accept Him as God’s Son. This reflective time is important to me today and that is where I find my greatest joy. In my old life it was just a day to gather with family and friends. Today I sense God’s love more so and in that I have great peace.. May God bless you and keep you make His face shine on you. Love Janet