Monday, February 23, 2009

Sleeping with Bread

The examen, based on the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius, helps a person hold onto what spiritually nourishes them by looking at what is giving them consolation in their life or causing him desolation. It allows someone to express his gratitude to God for the good stuff and turn to him for solace for the bad stuff. It is quite simple. You simply ask yourself, in the last day/week/month what gave me consolation and what caused me desolation.

So, without further ado ...

The Good.

I've told you about visiting my son in Chicago. I've told you about "Date Night". Walking in the mornings with Sunshine really lifts my spirit. She calls it exercise. I call it fun.

The Bad.

Chemotherapy has been really tough for Sunshine's mom. A million of Life's demands are pulling Sunshine apart. She is very close to her mother. She told me that her mom is a mother, a friend, a sister and a confidante. I do everything I can to help and be uplifting, but the worst part is this terrible sense of inevitability.

11 comments:

kylie said...

i like this series, skeeter although the bad this time is a little disturbing.
i'm sure sunshine appreciates your love and support, making the inevitable maybe just a little bit less daunting

my love and prayers are with you all
k

Maria said...

Chemo is awful. And I was talking to a cancer researcher the other day who said that in 50 years, we will look back on it as barbaric. But, it is all we have for now, so we must endure it.

I like it that you go for walks together. I can think of nothing better for couples. I think part of couples therapy should always include at least a fifteen minute walk per day. No listening to music. Just talking or being silent with you spouse.

Tara Lamont said...

I by no means make light of the difficulty of chemo, it is so difficult to see and hear the bright spots in hard times. But,I'll be praying for eyes and ears to see the glimmers of light and trickles of laughter, even on the dark days.
Peace.

Bryan G. Robinson said...

I second what Kylie says. I've worked at a hospice and know how much just those people I've encountered appreciate people being with them in their time of dying. Moreso, for the people who know them so well.

My blog is unfinishedperson.com.

Technonana said...

Yes, Sweetheart, but God can and does preform miracles... keep hoping, praying, and trusting.. it may not be the outcome you want, but it may just add a little time for all of you.
Praise the Lord that Sunshine has you!! I know, I've been there, and I can honestly say that I don't know what I would have done without Papa to help me, encourage me, and let me lean on him as God gave me the strength to deal with it all.
Keeping you all in my prayers!!
Sharon

Leni Qinan said...

Skeeter, Sunshine is really lucky to have you. Your love and support is certainly helping her to go through this difficult time.

I really hope the suffering goes soon. Keep walking together! :)

Mel said...

Not easy--the whole family is affected. Bless you for walking through it with her, regardless of how it feels.

I hope you know that not everyone opts to do that.

*sending prayers and positive thoughts to you and yours*

Grass said...

I'm sorry for your friend Sunshine. That's a tough ordeal. I can't even imagine my mom going through the same though I had seen her struggle for some serious kidney disease before. Though I had this tendency to repress my feelings about it.

I guess I have to agree that we shouldn't just look at the good stuffs. We should learn from bad stuffs as well, they're part of our life. and yes, it's inevitable....


xxx

sharilyn said...

skeeter...
i shall pray for a lightness in your heart that is inexplicable--the peace that passes all (human) understanding... for comfort for your heart as well as for sunshine's... and for God's healing touch, however He works it all out.
you are not alone...though it may feel like it at times...

Lavinia said...

Hopefully the good always outweighs the bad, but sometimes.......

Hugs to you and Sunshine!

Sinner said...

Oh! Wish her mom a goo recovery from her illness and I wish Sunshine more happy days and Hope all her prayers are answered.