Friday, May 29, 2020

Life goes on.....

Life does go on doesn’t it? I would love to thank each and everyone of you for your wonderful and heartfelt expressions of sympathy on the death of my brother Roger.  I try not to hate anything or anyone but my friends, I hate this virus. I detest what it’s doing to people and to families. How it is dividing our country and indeed the entire world. I pray that each one of you and your families stay healthy and strong and avoid catching this. I mentioned to someone this morning that Roger had died and their first question was did he have any underlying conditions? Well yes, yes he did. That’s why he had been in the hospital and then the rehab where we’re sure he got it. But really, what does that matter? Does that make his life any less valuable because he had underlying conditions? Maybe people are just wanting to feel better and think that if they don’t have have anything wrong with them they’ll be fine. Well, from what I have seen and read, this virus affects healthy and sick people. Young and old. Black and white. Stay safe my friends.

Now on to a happier subject. I have spent all week at the lake, just coming home last night. While there I made these mittens.

I also started a baby blanket of little granny squares. One of you recently made one like this, but I cannot remember who made it or the name of the pattern. I will try to remember to take a picture when I go back out.  I have about 20 squares done right now.

I also started a new pair of socks last night using the plain vanilla pattern and a one by one ribbed cuff.

I got up at 5 AM this morning to go to the grocery store. I wanted to be there when they opened, before the crowds came. And it worked! There were only about 10 of us in the entire store. I had my mask on and I ran around stocking up on the things that for some reason I can never get on the grocery pick-up orders. They always say that certain items are out of stock and yet this morning there were plenty on the shelves. Things like sliced cheese! Every time I have put cheese on my order it has come back out of stock. I wonder why? I still was unable to find Clorox or Lysol wipes, but I still have one container here at home.

Now I should be able to get by doing grocery pick up orders again for a few months.  That is a relief. The events of this last week brought home just how fragile life is. So many people seem to not be taking any of this seriously.  I am trying to do everything I can to keep myself and Dennis safe in these trying times.

I’m praying for you all to stay healthy.  Thank you again for all of the love and support you’ve shown to me this past week. I appreciate it more than you can know. 

Blessings and love, Betsy




27 comments:

  1. We love you Betsy! I hate what this virus is doing to people. We will be starting our in person church but there will be restrictions, social distancing etc. People of course are upset and sending not so kind emails to our pastors. It's rather sad people are so upset because our church leadership cares about us.

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  2. I have though of you often this last week Betsy. I agree, it’s a horrible disease and I pray for it to go. I have lost 2 dear nursing friends to it, in their 60’s, their life had value too. Each person that has died leaves behind family, loved ones, friends, neighbours. It’s irrelevant what age they are or what pre existing conditions they may have had, their lives had value, they mattered. I will continue to hold you in my thoughts and prayers.

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  3. Every person lost is someone's son, daughter, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, spouse, friend. All are loved and missed. I hope your faith and loved ones keep you strong at this terrible time. Hugs. xx

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  4. I know you saw my comment about my sister and her husband. I can't blog about it. They are private people but I want to SCREAM. I am so tired of people saying this is all a hoax and it's no worse than the flu. He is very, very sick. She has diabetes and they are all alone trying to take care of each other because no one can go help them. He can't even walk. My sister is so alone and afraid. It is a nightmare. I am beside myself with emotion right now.

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    1. yes wear a mask for your grandmother please. Dislike the virus (i don't like hate since it's an inanimate object). Very much lack of leadership does not help people take this seriously. In our lifetime this has been the first time some have experienced such a tragedy. Some are just down right selfish.

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  5. I will continue to pray for you and your family and also for Araignee whose comment I just read. Anyone who thinks this is a hoax is a fool! I never realized how many stupid, selfish people we had in this country. There are many good ones also but there are lots of stupid ones!
    I'm glad you were able to spend time at the lake and relax. You are so productive in the crafting! Between cooking, outside maintenance and cleaning inside I have little time left! Tomorrow, hopefully I will get some crafting done. Take care and blessings to you and Dennis and I pray for your health and safety.

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  6. I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. This has got to end sometime. It's wearing everyone down. And to lose someone close to you is even more devastating. Your knitting is beautiful. I like that sock yarn.

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  7. A week at the lake relaxing and knitting sounds like a wonderful time.
    I'm glad you were able to get your grocery shopping done bright and early before too many people were around. We went early too but our seniors hours are from 7 to 8. Found everything except icing sugar. I didn't really need it but had run out completely and who knows when cupcakes will be needed!!
    Take care and stay strong.

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  8. During difficult or delightful seasons in your life your creativity and productivity amaze and inspire me, dear Betsy. The mittens and new blanket square are lovely and will be blessings for those who will use them. I am glad your shopping was successful. My youngest daughter took me grocery shopping Friday afternoon. I have been going between 8-9am on Fridays usually and had a few times I was not able to get all I intended, so I was especially grateful Friday afternoon that though the store was busy I was able to purchase what I wanted to...even though the combination of masked and unmasked folk create a tense atmosphere to me. I try to thank servers or apologize if I get in other's way. Sometimes I have told someone, "I'm smiling at you," when I realize that they can't see because I'm wearing a mask. Challenging times we are in! Love to you and Dennis. xx

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  9. I have surely been praying for you and asked for prayer for you on my blog. Trusting the Lord to wrap you in His arms and keep you ever close to His heart as you mourn the loss of your brother. I, too, think it is so ridiculous to ask such a question. Whether someone has underlying conditions or not, the loss is just as real to the loved ones left behind.

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  10. My precious sister in Christ. You've been heavy on my heart this week as have all who loved Roger. Yes I call this disease a thief. It destroys lives, families, peace of mind and causes sorrow... all this is part of the curse as is this virus.
    One glorious day we shall be free from this curse and have no more sickness death grief and pain! Glory to be in a pefect place with no shackles of sin to bind us.
    And we will see our preciois dear ones all worshipping at our Saviour's feet! So thankful!
    Our shops are almost back to normal here, even wipes are abundant again.. as we've only mercifully had 104 deaths in the whole country. It's not gone though and you're VERY wise to be vigilant as am I.
    If truth be known Betsy we all have a pre-existing condition. We are all terminal. Just in God's time.
    Love the mittens and new socks. So glad you had time at the lake. I prayed you would. Your happy place. 😁❤❤❤
    Thanks for sharing, and may God bless and keep you and all whom you love safe and well.
    Prayer hugs, Shaz in Oz. X

    {Wonderful Words of Life - Shaz in Oz}
    {Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

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  11. Glad you were able to get all your shopping done in these trying times. The mittens are a delight and so welcome for those little hands. You remain in our thoughts and prayers sweet lady. Take care and stay safe.

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  12. I was amazed that life just continued after my mother-in-law's death--I felt like I wanted to shout to the world to STOP and think about her life! It didn't and I understand it because my life goes on when I hear of other's grief. Hard to grasp the depth of this. Yes, Faith not Fear is what we live-even in this time.

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  13. Betsy, my friend, I love you so much and I agree with you. Underlying conditions do not matter when you have lost a loved one. I am glad that you are able to keep busy at the lake. It seems to be your comfort spot. I will continue to pray for you and your family and look forward to visiting later this week.
    HUGS

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  14. Betsy, what a tough week for you. It is odd how comments hit us at various times. Sometimes when people ask a question, I say, "Why do you ask?" I really want to know what motivated the questions. If they say simply, "I just worry about myself so much because I have such and such condition, " I would be more apt to feel it was not a judgement comment. But if it is just to be nosey, well what is the comfort in that?
    Know that we all love you. Grief is hard. It jumps at you at the oddest times. Your grief is so new and raw. Bless you!

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  15. I like your mittens! Glad you were away to the lake for awhile! I am looking forward to the coast next month!
    Praying for you in this of grief and sorrow on loss of your brother. Never easy to lose a loved one. I am glad my sister called me today. We talked for an hour just after I got home from Bauman farms where I drove to get my curbside pickup of strawberries, peaches and a pie! Take care my friend! May you feel God's presence in this time of life! x-----x
    Becky

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  16. My husband died and then 2 weeks later all the virus stuff started. I feel I am still stuck in my grief. I can’t even seem to get things done I need to do. I still don’t have a headstone. I am sorry about your brother. Such a tragedy.

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    1. Hugs to you, Sister Three. What a difficult time this is for you. May God bring you comfort and help you through this. Be blessed, Laura Lane SW Missouri Harvest Lane Cottage

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    2. Sorry for loss of your husband. Pandemic time and life happenings as usual don't mix very well. Our dryer went out on us right at time our state closed for weeks. Good thing I was able to find a refurbished dryer in town. Praying for you and that you will make it thru this time of sorrow and grief. His mercies are new every morning. Lamentations 3:22-24
      Becky Lowmaster

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  17. Sending another hug to you. I know it's been a very difficult time for you and your family. I agree with you about someone asking you if he had existing conditions. Let's face it, most of us that are older have several. It's like people are saying that we're expendable. We're really on our own to take care of ourselves I think. Love the mittens and sock, it's nice we have our crafting skills to help us get through this difficult time. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  18. Sending prayers and good thoughts your way Betsy. I am so glad to hear you got to go to the lake for the week! :) Stay safe!

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  19. I had this discussion with one of my medical foster moms who is thrilled Florida is not counting deaths from pneumonia or heart attacks for those with Coronavirus. This would raise our death rate and make us look worse, but when I questioned her about it she did hesitate. I said to her that what you are saying makes no sense. They died because they had Coronavirus and that weakened them so much they had a heart attack or pneumonia. That is like saying my brother, who fought Lymphoma for 4 1/2 years but died of resulting pneumonia did not die from cancer. That is indeed what he died of, cancer. Why make the numbers look better, they are what they are and your brother although he had an underlying condition lost his life to Coronavirus and that is just the very, very sad truth. Stay strong Betsy. It is a very difficult world out there.

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  20. Dear Betsy,
    Hugs to you! I wish I could make it all better. I was glad to see that you found some comfort in your needlework. May God help you all and keep us all safe. You're going to be ready early for cold weather with those mittens.
    Be blessed,
    Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage

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  21. You are right. You are loved. You are missed. You and your family are lifted in prayer more than you know!

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  22. Glad you got to spend some time at the lake. I imagine looking out over the water is very soothing.

    The mittens are so cheerful. They remind me of Christmas.

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  23. Glad you could be at the lake Betsy. Thinking of you my friend. xoxo

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  24. Oh Betsy. I'm so sorry. Hugs to you.

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