Saturday, November 29, 2008

An Anniversery, an Apology and Pink Saturday

My brother Greg, my biggest sister Nancy in the foreground, myself and my older sister Janet in the background at my Grandmother's house around 1966-1967
Thanks for stopping by today. I have not posted much over the past 2 months. This time of year is usually difficult for me anymore. I debated sharing this with anyone but decided to go ahead and do it. Two years ago on the Saturday after Thanksgiving my older brother died. It was quite unexpected. He was only 48 years old. Now when fall hits I tend to fall apart. Some days it is all I can do to go to work in a kind of stupor.
It has been very hard this year for me. I am still trying to allow myself to grieve. I go to a group therapy thing on Thursday nights to help with that. There are some very kind men in that group that have become kind of surrogate brothers to me. I am grateful for their friendship and kindness. I would appreciate your prayers with this.
A while back I did a giveaway. At least it was intended as a giveaway but I still haven't sent out the prize I am ashamed to say. The winner can expect some extra stuff as a kind of penance for not sending it months ago. I got sick and then fell apart emotionally. I apologise.
Pink Saturday is one of my favorite things and I am trying to get back in to the swing of things and do what I love. So hopefully I am back and won't disappear again. Below is some of my favorite material. I found it at a rummage house years ago and have used it in various ways since then. I am getting ready to turn it into curtains for the living room to go with my new blinds.
My new blinds below- I found them at Antique's Plus here in Lawrence just north of the bridge.
Below is a comforter i crocheted ages ago and i use in my living room in the winter. Resting on top of it is a little bag of christmas ornaments I made along with some gift tags I made. They were all part of a giveaway a co-worker did at her second job. She teaches Jazzercise on the side and she was the one teaching on Thanksgiving morning. She told me she had decided to do a giveaway and I offered her some of my goodies to put in it. The funny thing is a friend of mine how happens to be my boss's wife won it! I have been working on packaging up some of my christmas goodies to sell at Antique's plus and if I ever get my act together in my new etsy shop. Keep your fingers crossed as I need all the help I can get. Hope your Pink Saturday is a delightful one. Don't forget to go visit Beverly and all the other ladies participating today! Click here to visit them- http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com .

13 comments:

SmilingSally said...

Grieving takes time; I'm glad that you're putting one foot in front of the other.

Neabear said...

Thank you so much for sharing. I have been worried about you and hoped that you were okay. Now I know what was going on with you and I totally understand. I agree with Sally that grieving does take a long time. Especially when it comes so unexpectedly. I will keep you in my prayers to give you strength to get through this time of the year. Hang in there. We care!

Glennis said...

So sorry to hear about your brother. Sally's words are very wise.

Best wishes to you, and have a good weekend.

Anonymous said...

Welcome back to Pink Saturday, Susan. I have missed you.

I know how hard it is to loose a very special person in your life. My father died on July Fourth, and he was only fifty-five. You are doing a good thing to seek help. It is good to be near people who understand.

Your pinks today are all so pretty. I can't wait to see the curtains you make.

Brenda Pruitt said...

My thoughts are with you. Grieving is different for everyone. Healing is also. I hope for you peace and hope in this time of sadness. After I lost my best friend several years ago, I planted a memorial garden in her memory. I also found reading books about death and grieving helpful.
Brenda

said...

(((Susan)))
I'm sure your giveaway winner will understand.

The pink fabric you posted is gorgeous.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing and my prayers are with you.
Your pink fabric is so pretty.. and whatever you make with the fabric will be gorgeous.

Sondra Behne' said...

The best of wishes to you from the heart. I know where you are...I too lost my oldest brother two years ago Dec 12, 2006 he was only 60. We are a family of 10 kids and it affects all of us especially near the holidays.

May peace and joy enter your heart.

Sondra

Ellen said...

Susan, this is a hard time for me as well. I lost my brother the first week of December and I still grieve. But I say to myself..it's better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all. My heart is with you.
On a more happier note, I love your pinks..:)EllenL

Lynn said...

I am sorry that you lost your brother at such a young age, and are having a hard time with the grieving process right now. It takes a long time to heal from something so painful, and is to be expected, to feel so sad. I hope you can enjoy your holiday.
You have made me very happy Susan, I just recieved your swap gifts, have taken photos and posted on my blog, I just LOVE everything, and am sorry, it must have been really hard for you to be involved in a swap right now.
I lost your email, so am posting my thank you's here, hope that is ok. I was sure I had it, but duhhh is me sometimes :)

Lynn

P.S The post is on The Rose Cottage blog.

Anonymous said...

I'm very sorry for your loss. I understand your grief, as I just lost my precious husband unexpectedly two months ago tomorrow. I will never look at fall the same way either, but I know that someday the sun will shine again. xoxo

Anonymous said...

I just happened upon your blog and was so sorry to read the post about your brother. I am so sorry....my husband lost his younger brother 2 years ago unexpectedly and he still struggles with grief, especially around the holidays. Someone told him "grief takes as long as it takes" which has helped him. I will keep you in my prayers. You have a beautiful blogsite. Thank you for sharing with us.
BB from Ga.

Anonymous said...

Hi Susan,
Such a heart ache to lose someone....
This year I have been to 8 funerals and only two of them were older...the ages ranged from 16-48 and my 2 older friend's were just 70.
Really makes you put your life in order and realize what is truly important...
Such a pleasure to have met you this year:)
Blessings and prayers coming your way...as you heal from your loss...
KayEllen