:: A thought: As I was looking out our front door, I saw this large spiderweb stretching from a porch post to the underside of the gutter. I moved at hyper-speed to grab the camera because I know from past experience these moments are fleeting. The spiderweb had been there all along but until the sunlight was shining through it in just the right way, it remained hidden.
It struck me that so much in life is just like that. Happiness, abundance, love, blessings, guidance, peace – are always there but often remain hidden because we can’t see them. We let darkness in and it obscures the truth. And we assume that what we see in that darkness is the truth. But it isn’t. I hope I can remind myself of that on a daily basis.
:: I’ve just started working on this. Designed by Rebecca Ringquist, it is a summer stitch sampler. I discovered Rebecca while blog hopping. A few bloggers were working on this sampler and I was immediately obsessed with obtaining one. Her design is hand drawn and screen printed on cotton. She just designed a new sampler – the Cake Sampler – which I’ve also ordered. Rebecca sells on Etsy and she also has a blog, Drop Cloth. You can link to her Etsy shop via her blog.
:: Last night, Don was featured on a radio show that originates out of Vassar College. The host was fabulous and he interviewed Don for about 90 minutes. Don played some of his music live and also shared some pieces by other musicians that have influenced him. I listened to him on my computer and had the best time! Don is really good in that kind of setting – he’s funny and articulate. He was so good that they want him to come back.
:: Mom is in a rehab facility. She is not doing well, however. I’m not sure where we are in the healing of her UTI, but she has been very confused and a bit delusional and I know those can be side effects of the infection. She’s getting physical therapy twice a day. She is making no effort to talk to other patients or take part in any activities. She just wants to go home. However, she’s not strong enough yet and there is no way my almost 87 year old father can take care of her until she is stronger. She needs to fight, but she doesn’t seem to want to. And there lies the problem and our biggest worry. My Dad has called me in tears because he’s scared. My sister is trying to juggle their needs with the needs of her family, all the while battling a cold.
We think I should wait to go back down there until we see what transpires in the next week or two. Meanwhile, we hope for the best, for a turnaround, for a little miracle.
:: Today is the last day to be considered for either of my giveaways. The CSN Giveaway ends tonight as well as the book giveaway from yesterday’s book review. Frankly, I’m surprised there are not more comments on the Book Review – gosh, you could win a free copy of the book and it is a wonderful novel! Come on, just do it!
Good morning,
Claudia! I LOVE
your spider web
analogy ~ so very
true. I am also
going to visit
Rebecca’s shop,
as it’s so hard
to find printed
embroidery patterns
anymore and this is
just gorgeous. Good
luck with your mom.
I’ve been down this
path before ~ my
prayers are with
you. Wow, I didn’t
know I had so much
to say! Hopping down
to your giveaways, now : )
Happy day,
xx Suzanne
Great capture this morning. Why are the spidie-webs so much better in pictures than real life.
I will continue to keep you mom in my thought and prayers. I know how this can be. We are pulled in so many directions it’s hard to keep it all straight.
What I missed a give-away or two. Off to check it out for sure, if I did. You know I’m always up for a finding of a new book. Nearing the end of the Lisbeth triolgy now.
Hugs,
Kate
Hi Claudia — WONDROUS picture! Just amazing. I appreciate your words about darkness being the illusion, not the truth. I will carry that with my today, so thank you.
That stitch sampler looks like such fun! And beautiful, too. I have been on my knitting tangent for a few years now and have not stitched in ages . . . but this sure is inspiring.
Positive thoughts for your mom. Those UTIs can really knock older folks for a loop. I hope her spirits will pick up and that she will feel better soon. Kind thoughts to your dad and sister as well as you. These are tough times for a family.
I love the embroidery sampler!
Hello, Claudia~
This post was so beautifully written. I love the spider web analogy so much that I want to print it and hang it on my wall where I can see it every day. Thank you so much for sharing that with us.
I’m so sorry for how things are going with your mom right now. My heart breaks for your father as he worries about his sweetheart. Keep hoping and praying for that miracle… I will also. Not to give you any false hopes (I never, ever want to do that), but I’ve seen miracles happen– even when my hopes were holding on by a thread.
Oh Claudia, there’s so much I would love to say, but it all seems so personal for a blog comment. I may drop you a line sometime soon, okay?
Big, big hugs,
Jill
Claudia,
As I read about your mom, I sat almost frozen. It took me back to the times with my mom. One thing is sure, we can do all we can to cheer a loved one on, and yet sometimes somewhere inside them they just can’t seem to receive it. I’m with you, the sooner she gets to go home, the better. It seems that at that age, home is all they long for.
I sure do empathize with you and hope you will always feel free to contact me — I walked where you walk now and would be happy to be a “sounding board” for anything. Sometimes all we really need to do is be able to vent. ;)
XOXO
Ruth
Hubby and I were reading scriptures this morning and in one of the commentaries we read from of study guide it said Truth is never popular. I know this but your comment about letting darkness in is absolute truth. I try daily to keep LIGHT in my life, but I’m human, chick, and don’t always listen!
Hope you mum gets better soon and I know how your dad must be feeling.
xoxo,
Connie
I am so sorry to hear about your mom Claudia. I hope she will find her inner strength soon.
the spider web is beautiful! I love spiders- I never kill them in my home- just carefully try to take them to the garden. I follow Rebecca’s blog too- I’ve thought about purchasing this sampler- but I know my time right now is slim. It’s on my love list at etsy though- I can’t wait to see yours finished ♥ How wonderful that Don was featured on the radio show!! Woo hoo for him that they asked him to come back…how do we listen too? Your Mom is in my prayers- my heart breaks for her wanting to come home ♥ I hope she starts to improve and feel better soon. Big hugs for you and for your sister too!!
Hi, Claudia! I will pray for your mom and family, to get you through this dark valley…Hope she is well soon. I listened to some of Don’s music online recently…he is really great! Keep yourself busy and positive, and I am sure you will feel better, too…..
Wendy
I’m sorry to hear you are going through such a difficult time with your mom. It has to be so hard for you and your dad.
That sampler looks as though it’s going to be beautiful. Can’t wait to see the finished product!
~Michelle
Sounds as though your dad need tons of hugs right now. I’m sure he’s scared that he’ll lose her, the love of his life and be left alone. Not a warm fuzzy feeling for him. I’m keeping your mama in my thoughts every day, Claudia…. your dad too.
Love the sampler and can’t wait to see how it turns out.
Di
Sending a hug to YOU too!
i am for the most part new to this whole blogging thing ….however i was so needing the bit of encouragement your spider web gave thank you …I do hope and pray for the best for your mother and for the strength ro gain her desire to go home..
That spider web looks beautiful! And you are so right, the most important things can be right under our noses and we are just not seeing them. Thanks for the reminder.
Claudia, praying for your Mother and your family. Have they decided the cause of her confusion. Urosepsis? So sorry the old nurse in me rises up still. Where is the spider? hugs♥olive
With this same infection, I’ve been thinking a lot of your mom. It does zap your energy and make you feel bad. I know she didn’t have much zest for life before this. I feel so bad for her and you and Mer. The spiderweb is priceless. It isn’t often I find one, but when I do, it’s a phenomenally wonderful photo day for me!
Brenda
Hi Claudia,
You remain in my thoughts & prayers, dear friend, as does your family. I so feel for your dad, it’s not easy being that scared and breaking down about your worst fears.
Love to you,
~Tracie
Such a lovely photograph and very thoughtful comparison. Holding your family in my thoughts and prayers for a miracle — or, at least answers.
Hi Claudia,
Thank you so much for your inspirational words. I know what you are going through with your Mom and your Dad. It’s hard. I’ve been there. Somehow you get through it with support and love from your family and friends.
I am sending many prayers and best wishes your way.
Hi Claudia,
Thank you so much for your inspirational words. I know what you are going through with your Mom and your Dad. It’s hard. I’ve been there. Somehow you get through it with support and love from your family and friends.
I am sending many prayers and best wishes your way.
Dearest Claudia, I wish my words could heal the ache and hurt. I am thinking of you and your family, and I hope your mom gets her panties in a bunch and fights like the dickens! Hugs to all!
Such a beautiful analogy about the spider web. At first I thought, what a great children’s story, but it really is a lesson for all of us.
I’ll keep your mom in my prayers.
And I’m off to check out the embroidery sampler!
Best wishes for your Mom’s recovery. I am sorry for your struggles.
Your spider web is gorgeous and your lesson is inspiring…
Blessings,
Susie
This is so beautiful and your words so very true. My prayers are with you and your family and dear mom.
hugs and blessings, dear Claudia,
xo,
Debra
Oh Claudia~ you are going through some hard things with your parents right now. I was a caretaker for my mother-in-law, but I live across the country from my parents and know how hard it is when you are not there to help…I hope they can help her to feel better. I will keep your family in my prayers…XO
Hi Claudia…I’m sorry to read about your mom. We can change their health for the better usually but changing their heart is a whole lot harder. I hope she comes around soon & will keep her in my prayers.
Love your spider web and the insight you read into it…just beautiful:)
Oh, I do know how stressful a time it is, to have parents or other loved ones who need caring for, and how much more stress it can create when the patient isn’t, or can’t try to make the best of things. I’ve just spent the last 10 years or so dealing with one person after another in my family becoming seriously ill and in the month of Aug. alone, both my sister and my step-mom were in the hospital. It entails a lot, and you become so tired sometimes. Physically and emotionally. My heart is with you and with Meredith, your mom and dad. I’ll hold a good thought for all of you, Claudia.
xo
Lena
HI CLAUDIA,
SO SORRY ABOUT YOUR MOM, I HOPE SHE STARTS FEELING BETTER SOON. MY DAD HAD THAT ATTITUDE RECOVERING FROM HIS SURGERY MANY YEARS AGO, BUT HE DID MAKE A TURN AROUND AND HAD A GOOD RECOVERY. LOVE YOUR SAMPLER, AND YOUR STITCHES ARE LOVELY. YOU CAN TELL THE FALL IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER WITH THE SPIDER WEB.
TAKE CARE, PRAYERS FOR MOM ARE ON THERE WAY. RIZZI
I am so sorry about your mom. Many times once they begin to really heal from the UTI they bounce back quickly…that’s what we will hope for! (0)hug It is very difficult to have parents in these situations isn’t it?
Your spider web photo is breath taking. I have never been able to get one of those photos to turn out. I liked what you said about “many times we think the darkness is the truth”…or something to that effect. You said it much better. Still it was good! xo hang in there…rachel
I love the web! I am so sorry about your mom. It is hard when you see them so down. It is never easy to be sick but to have to be away from home is hard. I am praying for you all esp. your sweet sister, we do what we have to but I know it is as hard for you to not be there as it is her to be there.
Hugs and prayers, Lisa