Grateful

I have been overwhelmed today. I spend a lot of days feeling overwhelmed, but today was different. Instead of being overwhelmed with work, I have been overwhelmed with an outpouring of friendship and love. This week has been hard as I have wondered and worried about how to best handle this break-up. I have been greatly blessed with dear friends and family members who have spent a lot of time helping me through it.

Today it really hit me how much I have needed people and how abundantly they have come into my life this week. Today at work, a good friend showed great concern for me, listened to me as he always does, counseled me ever so carefully and then asked in all sincerity how he could help lift my burden. Later in the afternoon, my visiting teacher came and listened to me tell about my recent break-up and how difficult it is for me. She counseled me with love and held me tight when we said goodbye. And in the evening, I talked to another friend from work who called about a work related issue. She inquired about how I was doing and then listened to me and talked to me for over an hour, although I'm certain she was putting off something important to do so. She also counseled me in love and at the end of our conversation I apologized for keeping her so long, but she sincerely thanked me for letting her lift my burden a little. She expressed her love for me and told me how much people love me and want to help.

When she said that, I was reminded of the months just after Carter died. I was surrounded by people who loved me and who patiently listened to me process my thoughts and fears and sadness verbally. I work through things by talking, so it was helpful for me to be able to talk to so many people who wanted so much to help carry my burden. It truly helped me to heal.

This situation is different in many ways, but it is still the loss of a man I thought would a part of my life. So it has been really helpful for me to talk to several friends and hear of their love for me. I've had family members call me and talk for hours, I've gotten emails from others offering counsel and love and encouragement. Friends have called me or emailed me daily to check on me and usually spend a good amount of time listening to me work through it. Everyone has been tender with me and has encouraged me. All offer their counsel at my request, but are also careful to let me know that they will support me with whatever I choose to do. It really has lifted my burden, and I am so grateful for it. I'm not sure I could have managed this whole situation without the help, support, time, and advice from many special people in my life. I am truly overwhelmed by the number of people who care about me. I am grateful to God for putting them in my life whenever I really need them. I have times of feeling alone, but during this particularly difficult time of loneliness, I have felt a surge of support from so many people. I feel so blessed and privileged to have so many in my life. Thank you to all of you-- you help more than you know!