February was tough. I felt like I was slogging through mud. Life felt insurmountable. It was like things were in slow motion yet at the same time coming at me faster than I could handle. I think that's how the grief and shock manifested in my life at that time.
The Monday after Ben's passing, Brian was scheduled to take his driving test for his license. It was on the very last day that his learner's permit was valid. If he didn't take and pass that test on that day, it would have been so much harder to get his license and taken a lot more time. We had planned to have him get in more practice hours in that last weekend, but of course that didn't happen. He was struggling and didn't even want to go try, but we really needed to just get it done. We pulled up to the testing center and I offered a prayer for him in the car before we went inside. Brian didn't feel prepared and it had been the hardest 3 days of his life. Heavenly Father blessed him. I know it. Brian was able to concentrate and remember what he needed during the test. He was blessed to say things to the tester that helped her grade him in the way that was needed to pass. When they came back from the test she would not stop talking about what an amazing young man he was. I hope Brian and I can remember forever the help he got that day from the Holy Ghost. I hope we both can remember the strong feelings we both felt that Heavenly Father is there. He cares. He listens to our prayers.
That same week after Ben's passing we had our big Colts are Great spirit week at school. We continued on with it to try to give some normalcy for all the kids, but it was not easy. We made it through the week and the assembly.
We also had the Sweethearts Dance that weekend. Brian went with a friend from the swim team. Timmy went with his group of friends. Luckily the DJ was fantastic and everyone enjoyed their time. It was really needed.
The Lunar New Year came and we had our friends the Davis family and the Cooke family over to make dumplings and celebrate.
Some teacher had their Homeroom class Heart Attack my classroom door. It really meant a lot to me and I will always remember that act of kindness. I needed it more than I even realized. I left it up for the rest of the school year. I still don't even know what class did it, but I am grateful for that teacher and their thoughtfulness and that they included their students in serving others.
The guys (plus a few girls) got together at the ranch for a winter airsoft battle in the snow.
I took a picture of Pip falling asleep while watching me work at home. I just thought she was sweet peaking around the corner of the couch. She has been a comfort to me over and over through our time together.
Mark had to go to Japan for like a month starting in February for work. There were a lot of pictures coming in of really yummy food.
At the end of the month, while Mark was in Japan, the rest of us also headed out of town. Timmy went with the school orchestra to San Diego. They went to Sea World and Old Town and on a dinner cruise. He had a blast. I am grateful for the friends he had that also did orchestra.
Mark continued to work long hours in Japan. He was only able to squeeze in just few tourist outings.
While Mark was in Japan and Timmy was in San Diego, Brian and I packed up and headed with the CHOICE Humanitarian Jr Board to Guatemala for a week. It was all very stressful to get everything taken care of at school and home for Pip and Timmy and Brian and myself. But, in the end it was such an incredible experience for both me and Brian. I want Guatemala to be a post on it's own. Here a sneak peak as we journeyed out to the little village where we were doing work.
No comments:
Post a Comment