Welcome my friend! Come on in & join me in a cuppa while we reflect on living life! I know it’s a broad topic but I believe the focus of our reflection today is important.
I thought we would sit surrounded by our garden that’s looking so much greener & refreshed since the rains arrived! There is also the heavy scent of Frangipani upon the air at the moment!
Which is such a delight as I thought the drought may have been killing these beautiful trees because they had looked very sad indeed. But they have come out of the drought, flourishing!
As we sit alfresco under the pergola with our tea blend of Creme Brulee & homemade almond scones topped with a dob of Greek yogurt, fresh blueberries & strawberries. Feeling the cool sea breeze upon our face….
Such a welcome change from the extreme humidity of our Aussie summer over the past week.
We had a massive electrical storm go through last night with loud thunder & lightning rumbling across the sky, a few lightning strikes hitting the water behind us with frightening explosive energy. But the storm was also accompanied by refreshing rain that has replenished the garden again!
Now we’re comfy & sipping our cuppas, let’s begin our reflection…
A Life well lived
Recently, I received a beautiful gift for my birthday, a handcrafted figurine by Susan Lordi named Tapestry. She was given to me jointly by my step daughters. My eldest step daughter had the joy (gifts are her love language) of putting the gift together.
She stated that she had purchased this figurine because it reminded her of my life...a life well lived which is the description Susan thought as she carved it...as you can see this figurine is covered in memories of life’s events that are interwoven into the Tapestry of life.
These memories are being held close to her heart. The gold gilding highlights these closely held memories of a life lived well…with a spouse who has since passed ~ golden memories…so very precious.
You see this particular stepdaughter & I have something very much in common, we both know & understand the agony of widowhood.
She lost her late husband in a horrific accident in the line of duty, just after celebrating their first year of marriage together.
And I lost my late husband to brain cancer after much too short a marriage.
My stepdaughter’s statement gave me food for thought…a life well lived! Yes, my life with my late husband was definitely a life well lived…together…
Love & Loss
We lived a passionate life in love, in adventure, in working on the farm together, a beautiful relationship within the short time that was given to us.
As did my stepdaughter with her husband, our son in law…both marriages were living abundant relationships that ended abruptly!
Thus, we are both on our unique journeys of healing, although we are at different points & stages along the way within our respective journeys.
We know & understand how intense & uncomfortable this bumpy road of grief can be at times, even when one has found love again.
You see my friend, we don’t stop loving the one who has passed because new love has been found. Grief is such a strange & unpredictable emotion, popping its head up when we least expect it, taking us totally off guard! So we need to continue in our journey of healing.
God’s promise is that He is…
“…near to those who are brokenhearted. And saves those who are crushed in spirit. “
Psalm 34: 18
Which I can attest to, as I’m a living Memorial to His love & healing power…
My dear friend are you experiencing difficult times at the moment…times that feel like an emotional &/or spiritual drought…I get it…I really do…however we can emerge flourishing!
We just need to allow the replenishing love of God to restore us through these stormy hard times (you’re welcome to read the following) in Mending our brokenness gently in His way & timing!
Until next time,
Jennifer
You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook
© 2020 Jennifer M. Ross, teawithjennifer.blog Photos by Jennifer & on Pexels.com All Rights Reserved.
Tea With Jennifer on life, love & laughter 
“A Life Well Lived” What we all aspire. Another great post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, yes we do aspire to that goal…don’t we…lovely to have you join me here for a time of reflection 😀
LikeLike
That Frangipani is lovely!I wish its odor could be transmitted through the computer! What a testament to the way you live your life that your step-daughters would honor you with the “Tapestry” on your birthday. “A life well-lived” is what we all should strive for. Both you and your step-daughter are examples of God’s healing power. H is with us in the darkness and the light.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, the Frangipani perfume is really strong this season such a delightful fragrance Laurie.
That He is, in all circumstances of our lives He is there, quite often carrying us through them 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
The figurine is beautiful and I love the description of “a life well lived.” I’m sorry that you and your stepdaughter have been through such pain but I’m glad that you are able to comfort and support one another.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Lesley! Yes, we go through circumstances in life to be able to walk with another in their journey of healing however long or short a time that may be. Lovely having you drop by:-D
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen Jenny Amen Just loved your words today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Jan! Lovely to have you join me in a cuppa & reflection together 😀
LikeLike
There’s a saying, “what have you done with your dash?” It originally came from the military. The premise is that on your memorial there will be 2 dates. The only thing that matters in life is the time between the 2 dates represented by the – .
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s really interesting Llyod! 😀
The words that came to mind when I read your comment was from CT. Studd’s poem;
“Only one earth life, soon it will pass, only what’s done for Jesus will last!”
Those words were hung above the blackboard of the lecture room at Bible College where I attended. I’ve never forgotten them…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the figurine. I like how you describe a life well lived.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Sheryl, so glad you could join me here today! 😀
LikeLike
“A life well lived…” Such an honor to be the recipient of with such a precious gift, dear Jennifer. Blessings all around… ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, very special indeed Bette 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jennifer, such a lovely post and I would love to smell Frangipani. The figurine is beautiful as it represents the tapestry of your life…a life well lived. Dealing with the loss of a spouse must be so difficult, but you dear friend are sustained by His grace.
Blessings,
Pam
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Pam, yes I’m definitely sustained by His grace…Praise Him 😀
LikeLike
Dear Jennifer, What a lovely gift from such a lovely kindred heart for you. As I am growing older, and looking back over those years that don’t feel so “well lived,” God is showing me how He was weaving and making the way for the beauty that was to come. He knows what He is doing in our hearts, even through the hard times. I am so thankful for your encouraging posts that point to such beauty from the Father. Blessings to you, Dear Friend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Blessings to you dear friend! Yes He is weaving every thread into the Tapestry of our lives, even the dark colored ones that give depth to our souls tapestry! ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
…your plumeria (that’s what they are known as here) is a beauty. So many of them here are tall and I need a ladder to photograph the blossoms. A bit of rain came through overnight, what a welcomed relief. Thanks for stopping by my blog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We have a pink & white one too Tom, they’re not that tall here, we can reach the flowers to pick. They really are giving us a beautiful show this season in our garden as well as the area where we live. Lovely to have you join me here for a cuppa 😀
LikeLike
What a beautiful post. Both with the thought of cool refreshing rain, and the somber moments of heartbreak. Inspiring and encouraging. What a beautiful relationship with your step daughter. 🤗🙏🏻 Blessings to you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Lisa! So lovely having you here for a time of reflection together 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
How special to think someone thought “a life well lived” and thought of you! What a powerful sentiment. I pray others think something similar – especially as they watch my husband and I live out this life together!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Jennifer, yes it was very humbling indeed. I join you in prayer, as we can never become complacent…Can we?
LikeLike