In December 2006, the sky opened over my head and it just would not stop–the rain. My dog of 16 years was seriously sick, my dad was in and out of the hospital, money was tight, I was living in a less than ideal situation while trying to buy a house, work sucked, and I was doing all I could to keep my head above water. All of this was going on as I entered what was usually one of my happiest times of the year, the holiday season. Through all of the adversity, I managed not to get depressed. I was just waiting, waiting on my world to change, and so, I called the man who’s always been my shining knight/light.
When it seemed like there was no ceiling to the rain the sky would drop, my daddy said to me, “Don’t worry. Everything’s going to be fine. I know it may not seem like it, but it will. You’re living Halloween, but just remember, it’s still Christmas.” Laughter and then a smile from me was my response.
My dad had just made one of many trips home from the hospital a month or so earlier. He is and always has been a source of solid inspiration. He can always make me smile.
And you know what? Things DID get better. My car was recovered and returned, I got a new job and exponentially increased my dividends, I closed on my house, and even though she would die a few months later, my dog rallied back with one last surge of health. Sometimes to see the rainbows, all you have to do is just keep living.
ohh, i’ve had some halloween times in my day. kinda feeling half-halloweeny these days, actually. but what your father told you is so true: it’s still Christmas! i love that even in his times of being sick and in and out of hospitals, that he seemed to have such a positivity and optimistic disposition and that the mind-set to encourage you. that blesses me…a lot.
it’s so easy (well, for me anyway) to wallow whenever things get down in the dumps. i’ve had many a time when things are less than stellar in my world, and instead of lifting my eyes to the hills, i hang my head down. but after i get over myself, i always try to remind myself to praise God in all things. there’s this song i love that goes “i will praise You in this storm, and i will lift my hands, for You are who You are, no matter where i am.” it isn’t easy to live that out, but the more i sing it to myself, the easier it gets to remember.
and those rainbows you spoke of will always reappear. we just have to remember to look up or we’ll miss seeing them.
Comment by dragonflysoul — February 19, 2008 @ 1:31 p