~IT'S NOT ALWAYS ABOUT BEING HAPPY~

"There but by the grace of God, go I"

I just couldn't blog about "happy" today and so my Giveaway Post and the sharing of making our Christmas Treats 2010 won't start until tomorrow.  I'm sorry.  Sometimes life-altering stuff barges in changing things up, successfully refocusing my attention on what really matters to me.

I'm soooo bummed today because a woman I thought highly of, Elizabeth Edwards, passed away from Breast Cancer.  Although I have no grandiose thoughts that she was some perfect woman (or wife, mother, lover, daughter, sister or friend) I find I am distressed that her dearly loved (and minor) children will continue to grow up without their Momma's physical presence in their lives.  I believe she was a lovely lady and I saw her rise to a level of grace I know in my own heart I would have never been able to attain.  I'm saddened deeply by her passing for I prayed and believed God would heal her.

I believe in healing...I believe it in a lot, even.  And although I've never been one to question God about things I must admit that Elizabeth's death has been upsetting to me...  I find I want to scream out to the heavens and do what I never do and that is ask "WHY?"  I'm praying today that God knows my heart...

And so...I spent most of my day today just trying to trust that God sees the bigger picture of our lives.  I spent many hours focusing on being thankful that I have not had to walk the path Elizabeth walked during the past 10 plus years of her life.  I'm quite sure she'd have gladly given away her money and her assets for another year day hour of life with her family...

Aside from a thousand and one different things, I'm thankful today that...

I've never lost and buried a child...

I've never had to face a devastating diagnosis...

I've never had to deal with an unfaithful husband...

~(I'm trying to HOLD BACK HERE!)~

or

struggle with the knowledge I would never live to see my children grown...

Today I'm thankful for Grace, Peace, Faith and Love and that somehow the very bitter cup that befell Elizabeth somehow passed by me.

I'm more grateful than I have words to say...

Love to you...