I miss her so much

Thanks for your kind thoughts Lou. I have a snow blower though. I couldn’t imagine shoveling this sloop. I’m glad you’re feeling better older brother. Sleep well my friend. Gary

 

Thank you, Gary! One good thing about
using a Smart Phone, for GIC, is that I
took it to bed with me. I will sleep soon
( 10pm, my time). If I happen to wake up
in the middle of night, I'll look for our
West Coast friends: Karen, Stacey, and
Bernadine. Lou

 

Hang in there. I can't imagine moving. But I don't want to stay in the house either. Nothing seems right because nothing is right I guess. Hope you find some peace, I think it will come to us all someday. Rick

 

Thank you for this Gary. I can't hardly wait to walk with Sheila again in Heaven. I hope she doesn't know how sad I am, but I believe you are right, she understands and is rejoicing knowing I will be with her someday. Can't be too soon for me, but the Lord will decide when it's time. In the meantime I'll struggle on I guess. Glad Karen's post inspired you, me too. Hope we all make through another Holiday ok. Not looking forward to New Years Eve. Rick

 

4 am
Haven’t been to bed
Too quiet
Sigh

 

Sorry to hear that, Bernadine. I'm the
exact opposite. I'needed to stay in bed ,
from Christmas night ' til yesterday, bc of
fever & chills. I tried not to panic, , but
kept sleeping & wished Linda were still
around, with sympathy & chicken soup.
I have to eat healthily, on a regular basis,
sleep 7 or 8 hours, and walk outside most
days. Lou

 

Oh Bernadine, my heart aches for you. I’ve been there. I’m sure others here have too. The silence of the house can be deafening. I use a sound machine at night. And on those nights where I felt panicked (many nights) I used breathing exercises to help calm me, also cbd. Here’s the breathing exercise I have done often and still do. I find it helpful.
Hugs, Robin
Belly Breathing
According to The American Institute of Stress, 20 to 30 minutes of belly breathing each day will reduce anxiety and stress.5 Find a comfortable, quiet place to sit or lie down. For example, try sitting in a chair, sitting cross-legged, or lying on your back with a small pillow under your head and under your knees.

• Place one hand on your upper chest and the other hand on your belly, below the ribcage.
• Allow your belly to relax, without forcing it inward by squeezing or clenching your muscles.
• Breathe in slowly through your nose. The air should move into your nose and downward so that you feel your stomach rise with your other hand and fall inward (toward your spine).
• Exhale slowly through slightly pursed lips. Take note of the hand on your chest, which should remain relatively still.

Although the sequence frequency will vary according to your health, most people begin by doing the exercise three times and working up to five to 10 minutes, one to four times a day.

 

It is just being patient gets tiring.
Thanks for the thoughts!

 

Hi Lou, All TGW folks,
Lou, so sorry you have been I’ll, prayers you are
Over whatever you had. So many here in this area
with flu or virus. I have to be extra careful so been
only doing my walks as weather permits or
use the gym when no one is there, (not many use it.)
Dreading the new year, keep praying this grief will
ease up on all of us.
Hugs and prayers to you and all others here.
Blessings, Patti

 

Thank you so much, Patti. My grief for
Linda has to be put on the back burner
right now. I still feel exhausted so will not
go to see my friend play the drums, at the
cafe, where I usually go midweek. I don"t
want others to be subjected to this. Just
like in the old days of the common cold,
and flu, I think people are sick with fever
are not staying home & are mixing in with
other people indoors. You are very wise
about your gym.As our good friend, Deb,
would say, Winter "SUCKS BIG TIME!!!". L

 

Thank you Robin
I woke to sunshine on the snow and chickadees waiting for seed so even after a short night my mood has lifted. Thank you also for sharing this breathing technique, noticing with my hands feels calming. ~Bernadine

 

Lou, I’m so sorry to hear that you’re not feeling well. I’m hearing a lot of people are sick. I’m staying in, don’t want to catch anything. So smart of you to stay in and doctor what you have going on. I know you know how to care for yourself but the wife/Mom in me wants to say, stay hydrated, rest, eat healthy and take Tylenol or Advil for aches and pains. Get under your blankets and rest. My daughter gave me an electric blanket and I don’t want to get out from under it. Feel better Lou. Robin

 

I’m a paper and pen woman, I have a shared online calendar with my family but I started my new datebook since January will arrive this week.
Stowing away the old one feels like leaving Kenn behind. His name won’t be filling the pages of 2022, or any coming year.

 

Bernadine, I can just picture the sun shining on the snow and those sweet chickadees waiting to be fed. I have the new bird feeder full that I bought for Ron this year. We’re avid bird watchers. Looking forward to the hummers coming back in the spring.
I’m glad your mood has lifted, it’s amazing how much nature helps us. I’m glad the breathing technique felt calming. I use it often. take care, Robin

 

Thank you, Robin. I used to jokingly call
Linda, "Nurse Nancy", bc she fed me chicken soup, saw that I stuck to an
every 6 hour Tylenol schedule, and plenty
of sleep. I tried to stay away from her, so
she wouldn't get sick,too. When I had an
appointment on Tues, and had to walk
outside in the gray, cold ,mist, again, I
couldn't wait to get home, under the blanket again. I don't have an electric one,
but I wore my sweatshirt over my PJs.
When I walked to the local market to buy
boxed & canned soups, I noticed the
music van of my friends. I felt sad, but
knew I didn't want to spread this nasty
stuff, like some inconsiderate people did
to me. So glad you're staying nice and
warm inside, and taking care of yourself. L

 

It's important to take care of yourself and rest. Did errands this morning now taking it easy. I get to go in early for dialysis tomorrow. The excitement is impalpable

 

George, so glad you're resting after errands. I wore TWO hooded
sweatshirts today, bc I needed boxed soup,
but now, I'm so glad to be home. As I
quoted Deb, to Patti, Winter SUCKS BIG
TIME!!!, and your dialysis is terrible
" icing on the cake". I pray for sunnier,
warmer weather, and envy brother
Chad in Florida. Lou

 

I think we will all be happy to ring the new year in. I don’t mean to be so negative but 2021 SUCKED BIG TIME as our friend Deb would say. TU! I found out a snow blower does not blow slush. It freezes the barrel of the machine and plugs the machine with ice. Another dull dark boring December day here. Oh goodie only 10 more weeks of winter. I’m glad to read everyone is doing the best they can to take care of themselves. Lou I hope you take the hill soon and defeat your cold. When I don’t feel good I don’t think good either. Robin I copied that belly meditation breathing exercise. I’m always looking for something new to try for better sleep. I love you all. Sleep tight. Gary

 

You're right about not thinking clearly
when sick, Gary. As Deb would also say.
my "foggy widower's brain" was on full
display. I looked everywhere for my watch,
before walking to the store. Linda was a
parochial school girl, and the one Saint
she liked , was St. Anthony, who would
help find lost objects. We used to pray to
him in our small apartment, and were
always successful. Linda would have been
amused that I prayed today. Sure enough.
the wristwatch fell to the floor, as I was
putting my hoodie on. I said a prayer to
the Saint & to God, and hoped Linda was
watching. Lou

 

Oh yes indeed winter sucks miserably staying warm under my hoodie (that used to be Valerie's until I stole it from her! ) This dreary weather makes it hard to do anything to. Take care Lou!